^
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
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Dear Fellow Sabbath School Members,
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R. E. Clif,
SECRETARY
TELE%
R H
4
I 2 7
Inyazura Secondary School.
For many years our Inyazura Secondary
School in the Zambesi Union has trained scores of African youth to
become not only faithful Seventh-day Adventists, but also prepared
them to enter Solusi College to be trained as denominational work-
ers.
With an enrolment of over 430 students the present facilities
are splitting at the seams,
More and more girls are seeking to
enrol, and the limited dormitory space must be expanded.
The importance of training the hand as well as the head is receiving
renewed emphasis, and a new domestic science building for the girls
and expanded provision for teaching industrial arts to the boys is
a necessity for this phase of the teaching program to play its vital
role.
Last but not least, the facilities for the teaching of scient
require upgrading, if this school is to maintain the standard of edu.
cation expected of it.
Church Buildings, African Homelands.
In the interesting territory .
the Southern Union we find that in the African homelands, now in the
process of development, over fifty-five new towns and cities are beit
constructed.
Over one hundred towns and cities remain to be built!
In the nine homelands embracing all these towns and cities, a capita
city is to be built for each one of these African states-in-the-
making.
Now is the golden day of opportunity, while building lots are availat
to drive down our stakes, and erect a church and African pastor's hol
as a center to shepherd the flock and for evangelism in each of thee:
nine capital cities, on strategic and advantageous sites.
We must
thus arise and "possess the land", provided funds are in hand to mee-
the usual build-within-two-years restriction clause that is invariab.
included in the title to the land.
We thank you in anticipation in the name of our Lord and Saviour for
your contribution toward the solution of our need.
Yours in His ser i e,
DAYBREAK 110
1
M SERIES
Adult Sabbath School Lessons / No. 323, January-March, 1976
Conl
-
ent
-
s
1.
The God Who Is There
2.
The Perfect Provision
3.
The Roots of Wrong
4.
Principles of Rebellion
5.
Principles of Righteousness
6.
A World Astray
7.
Righteousness Exalts a Nation
8.
The Rise and Fall of Empires
9.
God's True People
10.
The Voice of a False Authority
11.
Conflicts Within the Church
12.
God's People Vindicated
13.
God's Rule Vindicated
The Adult Sabbath School Lessons are prepared by the Sabbath School Department of the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the lessons is directed by a
worldwide Sabbath School Lesson Committee, the members of which serve as consulting
editors.
Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20012
Lesson Author: Frank Holbrook
Editor: W. Richard Lesher
Editorial Secretary: Florence Wetmore
Circulation Manager: A. R. Mazat
Art and Design: Concerned Communications
Braille lessons available. See page 112
Adult Sabbath School Lessons (regular edition). Single copy, 40 cents; four issues (1 year),
$1.50; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the U.S.A., by
Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of SDA), 1350 Villa Street, Mountain
View, California 94042. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain View, California.
Form 3579 requested. When a change of address is desired, please be sure to send both old
and new addresses.
Copyright 1975 by Pacific Press Publishing Association
1—A.Q. 1-76
Cover photo by Concerned Communications
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Community
Guest Day
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13th Sabbath
Offering
SABBATH SCHODLAilEMO
Use to check off for daily study, reminder for mission
spotlight, etc. Jot memos above week-day dates.
I pledge myself to the prayerful study of part of
the Sabbath School lesson each day.
(Signed)
DAYBREAK SERIES FOR 1976
This issue of the Adult Lessons begins the second year of the Daybreak Series.
This series is a development of the primary principles which emerge from the
three angels' messages of Revelation 14. Note that the series is not intended to
be a study of Revelation 14 directly.
It may be helpful in studying the lessons to have some idea of how they fit
into the series. Thus an explanation is given in the following paragraphs of how
each quarter's lessons during 1976 relate to the curriculum plan.
The second angel's message announces Babylon's fall which results from
making all nations drink of her wine. This wine represents the teachings of
Babylon that are in opposition to the everlasting gospel given by the first angel.
The third message warns against worship of the beast or his image. This worship
is in opposition to the worship of the Creator called for by the first angel. Thus
the second and third messages present opposition to the gospel and the worship
of the Creator. The three messages are given in the time of judgment and do
not reach their complete fulfillment until the coming of Jesus.
But the opposition of Babylon and the beast to God's message and worship
did not begin with the sounding of the three messages. Babylon and the beast
reach back into history and are subjects of prophecy. Thus a study of the prin-
ciples that underlie the actions of Babylon and the beast, as these are revealed
in the Bible, can aid us in understanding better the nature of the last day conflict
summarized in the second and third angels' messages. To accomplish this pur-
pose we will, during this quarter, identify the principles of rebellion and trace
these principles from the rebellion in heaven to the empires of earth; and we
will study the prophecies of apostasy within the church.
Next quarter we will return to the area of the curriculum plan relating to the'
revelation of the everlasting gospel by the first angel and study the ways God
reveals Himself to man.
The third quarter will bring us to the area of the curriculum plan emerging
from the call of the first angel to fear God. To fear God is to fear to sin. This
area includes God's hatred of sin and the separation from God that has resulted
from disobedience. This will be approached through a study of the book of
Hebrews, where Jesus is seen as the mediator between God and His estranged
children.
In the fourth quarter the call to worship God will be made more meaningful
by a study of worship in all the Bible.
If you find this explanation helpful, you may wish to preserve it during 1976,
as this overview will not be repeated this year.
5
1-A.Q. 1-76
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LOVE CHALLENGED AND VINDICATED
Introduction
One does not live very long before one senses that something is wrong, very
wrong with the world. The dead mockingbird on the sidewalk, the pet dog flung
to the side of the road by a speeding automobile, the thorn on the stem support-
ing a beautiful flower—these are matters that raise questions in the young open-
ing mind. The shadows and the highlights grow more distinct and sharp as one
matures. The human predicament seems mysterious. There seems to be an
eternal conflict between happiness and sorrow, between good and evil. Indeed,
to many, life seems absurd and senseless.
But in the Bible the veil is drawn aside, and meaning and purpose are given
to human experience. The Scriptures begin with a revelation of God, the Creator
of all that is good. Man is not the result of mere chance. Rather, he was created
in the image of God by One who had beneficent plans and purposes for His
creation.
The Scriptures disclose the fact that the marring of the universe has come
about by the insurrection of one of the highest intelligent beings close to the
throne of God.
What we witness in the earth, behind all the interaction of mankind, is a moral
conflict between God and the principles of righteousness on the one hand, and
Satan and the principles of unrighteousness on the other. God's will, expressed
in His law, is based on a two-fold principle of love (supreme love to God, and
impartial love to one's fellow beings). Satan's will, the fallen creature's will, is
based on the principle of selfishness. Self is god; others are exploited for the
benefit of selfish interests.
These two principles—love and selfishness—have been in conflict since the
original rebellion and the later fall of Adam and Eve.
In our lessons this quarter we shall focus on the moral controversy which
lies beneath the apparent surface of human existence. We shall begin with a
study of God our Creator, for He is the moral Governor of our universe, and all
creation is subject to His laws, both physical and moral.
We shall then briefly survey the origin of evil and analyze the issues raised
by Lucifer. In subsequent lessons we shall follow the controversy by means of
Bible prophecies, especially those of Daniel. Through the prophecies God
en-
courages
His people with regard to the outcome of the conflict.
We shall see the outworking of the divine and satanic principles in the lives
of individuals and kingdoms. We shall see how Satan has carried on the same
controversy through the organized ecclesiastical apostasy foretold by the
prophets. We shall note that the conflict is also being fought within the ranks
of Christian groups where genuine truth is taught. Every human mind is affected
by this conflict. We shall see how the plan of salvation is the answer to the
problem of sin and is capable of bringing every penitent sinner into full har-
mony with the Creator.
Finally, we shall study how God will resolve the issues in this great moral
controversy in heaven and earth and will bring an end to the conflict with the
full approval of intelligent beings—both those who were loyal to Him and those
who rebelled. God will be vindicated; Satan, and all who adhere to his prin-
ciples, will be condemned and destroyed. "The world is not without a ruler.
The program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The Majesty of
heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His church, in
His own
charge."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 753.
7
LESSON 1
December 28 to January 3
The God Who
Is There
Under God's control beauty and purpose are brought
into our world; but when God is rejected,
life becomes empty and shattered.
"The Lord reigneth; let the earth
rejoice; let the multitude of isles be
glad thereof. Clouds and darkness
are round about him: righteousness
and judgment are the habitation of
his throne" (Ps. 97:1, 2).
To many thinking persons our
times have lost all sense of meaning.
Life seems absurd, having no coher-
ence or purpose. The ultimate ques-
tions—Where did I come from? Why
am I here? What happens when I
die?—may not be formally debated
in the mind, but the answers are
nevertheless being sought out, often
in bizarre ways.
Hundreds have dropped out of
society to follow simpler and impul-
sive forms of living. Thousands pur-
sue the philosophy of hedonism,
seeking to find meaning in the
world's pleasures, in abandonment
to sexual indulgence and reckless
living. Still others turn to alcohol or
hallucinating drugs to lift them from
the dullness of their lives.
Although we live in a scientific
age, millions are searching for life's
meaning in the irrational and in the
superstitious trappings of paganism.
All the facets of the occult are being
exploited today; astrology, witch-
craft, and spiritism are upsurging. In
the religious world thousands are
involving themselves in the charis-
matic movement for an experience
in tongues and miracles. The shadow
of nuclear disaster never fades; so-
cial and political troubles never
cease Security—there seems to be
none; frustration and broken hopes
are in abundance.
Why this bleak condition in hu-
man life? Only the Bible gives the
answer. It is no secret. Human hap-
piness depends upon a right rela-
tionship with God. Central to the
creature's happiness is his acknowl-
edgment and allegiance to his Crea-
tor. Our generation has forgotten
God. Pagan areas are unaware of
Him. The people of many so-called
Christian lands now deny His ex-
istence, and in professedly Chris-
tian lands He is simply bypassed and
forgotten.
Here is the real cause for life's lost
quality of coherence. When God is
acknowledged, there is recognition
of and obedience to His sovereignty.
The Scriptures present a clear pic-
ture of the human predicament and
what human life is all about and
what purpose God has for His chil-
dren. When God is central, there is
a hope for tomorrow, for the Chris-
tian sees what will be the culmina-
tion of the divine plan of salvation.
Faith in God gives meaning and pur-
pose to life.
"From the beginning it has been
Satan's studied plan to cause men to
forget God, that he might secure
them to himself."—Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 738. Lest we as Christians for-
get, it is the purpose of this lesson
to reexamine the great facts about
the Deity as we begin to trace the
moral controversy between God and
Satan which has affected all human
existence.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Eye of Faith (Heb. 11:6)
2.
Three in One (Mark 12:29;
Matt. 28:19)
3.
His Greatness (Ps. 90:2)
4.
A God of Love (1 John 4:16)
5.
A Holy
,
God (Isa. 6:1-3)
6.
Source of Life and Being
(Acts 17:24, 25)
The God Who Is There
LESSON 1
❑
Sunday
December 28
part
1
With what basic premise does the Christian view of life
THE EYE
b
eg
in
?
OF FAITH
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he
that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6).
The belief in the existence of a personal God who is sover-
eign in the universe is central to Christian faith. Only God can
give meaning and direction to human existence. In a knowl-
edge of God the Christian finds the true nature of his origins
and the plan and purpose of life.
What testimony does the natural world give to the exis-
tence of God? Acts 14:15-17; Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1.
"Upon all created things is seen the impress of the Deity.
Nature testifies of God. The susceptible mind, brought in con-
tact with the miracle and mystery of the universe, cannot but
recognize the working of infinite
power."—Education,
p. 99.
Who has made the fullest disclosure of the character and
existence of God? John 1:18; 14:8, 9.
"God saw that a clearer revelation than nature was needed
to portray both His personality and His character. He sent His
Son into the world to manifest, so far as could be endured by
human sight, the nature and the attributes of the invisible
God."—The
Ministry of Healing,
p. 419.
Nature is blighted by sin; only a few of the human race
observed the Saviour. What, then, provides the Christian his
only trustworthy source for learning about God and the divine
purpose? Heb. 1:1, 2; 2 Tim. 3:15-17.
"God has given in the Scriptures sufficient evidence of their
divine authority. His own existence, His character, the truth-
fulness of His word, are established by testimony that appeals
to our reason; and this testimony is abundant."—Education,
p. 169.
THINK IT THROUGH
What meaning would life hold for me if there were no
God?
"The real evidence of a living God is not merely in theory;
it is in the conviction that God has written in our hearts, illu-
minated and explained by His word. It is in the living power
in His created works, seen by the eye which the Holy Spirit
has enlightened."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 325.
FURTHER STUDY
The Ministry of Healing,
pp. 409-414.
10
The God Who Is There
LESSON 1
❑
Monday
December
29
Part 2
What two truths about the Deity did Jesus teach?
THREE IN ONE
"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the command-
ments is, Hear, 0 Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord" (Mark
12:29).
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"
(Matt. 28:19).
The paradox of a triune monotheism (Trinity) is not ex-
plained in the Scriptures. It is, however, a truth that is vital to
the understanding of the plan of salvation.
"The highest intellect may tax itself until it is wearied out
in conjectures regarding the nature of God; but the effort will
be fruitless. This problem has not been given us to solve. . . .
Here silence is eloquence. The Omniscient One is above dis-
cussion....
"We are as ignorant of God as little children, but as little
children we may love and obey
Him."—Testimonies,
vol. 8,
p. 279.
How is God the Father described? How are we to address
Him? 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Matt. 6:9.
"All that man needs to know or can know of God has been
revealed in the life and character of His
Son."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 286.
Upon occasion what claims and acknowledgments did
Jesus make and accept? John 8:58; 10:30; 20:28.
"Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. He
was with God from eternity, God over all, blessed forever-
more."—Ellen G. White,
Review and Herald,
April 5, 1906.
What other divine Person belongs to the Godhead? Matt.
28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14.
"The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot
explain it, because the Lord has not revealed it to them. . . .
Regarding such mysteries, which are too deep for human un-
derstanding, silence is golden."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 52.
THINK IT THROUGH
What application to daily living are Christians to make
from the Bible's teaching about the triune God? John 17:21,
22. In what areas of life ought I to make this application?
"There are three living powers of the heavenly trio; in the
name of these three great powers—the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit—those who receive Christ by living faith are
baptized, and these powers will co-operate with the obedient
subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ."
—Evangelism,
p. 615.
FURTHER STUDY
Evangelism,
pp. 613-617.
11
The God Who Is There
LESSON 1
❑
Tuesday
December 30
Part 3
"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou
HIS GREATNESS
hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting
to everlasting, thou art God" (Ps. 90:2).
The Scriptures reveal five characteristics of the divine na-
ture.
What aspects of the nature of Deity are indicated in each
of the following passages?
1.
Ps. ,90:2 (see text above).
2.
Rev. 19:6.
3.
Jer.
23:23, 24.
4.
Isa. 46:9, 10.
5.
Mal. 3:6.
"Let no one venture to explain God. Human beings cannot
explain themselves, and how, then, dare they venture to explain
the Omniscient One? ...
"God always has been. He is the great I AM. . . . He is the
high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity. . . . With Him there
is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. . . . He is infinite
and omnipresent. No words of ours can describe His greatness
and majesty."—Medical
Ministry,
p. 92.
What significance do these aspects of our God have for us
who love Him?
1.
Eternity (everlasting) Ps. 36:9; cf. John 17:2.
2.
Omnipotent (all-powerful) Isa. 40:26-31.
3.
Omnipresence (everywhere present) Heb. 13:5, 6.
4.
Omniscience (all-knowing) Ps. 139:1-6.
5.
Immutability (unchanging) Isa. 40:8.
"I know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care."
—John Greenleaf Whittier.
THINK IT THROUGH
Think of ways in which these divine attributes enable the
Godhead to carry out the plan of salvation.
"He that ruleth in the heavens is the one who sees the end
from the beginning—the one before whom the mysteries of
the past and the future are alike outspread, and who, beyond
the woe and darkness and ruin that sin has wrought, beholds
the accomplishment of His own purposes of love and blessing.
Though 'clouds and darkness are round about Him: righteous-
ness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.' Psalm
97:2, R.V. And this the inhabitants of the universe, both loyal
and disloyal, will one day
understand."—Patriarchs and Proph-
ets,
p. 43.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 5, pp. 703, 704.
12
The God Who Is There
LESSON 1
❑
Wednesday
December 31
Part 4
What does the apostle declare the fundamental aspect of
A GOD OF LOVE
God's character to be?
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath
to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in
God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16).
The English word, "love," is not so meaningful to us because
of its wide range of use. The Greek language employs four
main words to describe "love." The New Testament uses only
two. The word in our text is
agape,
the most common New Tes-
tament word for love.
The
agape
kind of love is not a superficial emotion, but a
principal attitude of the mind. It is outgoing, and
always seeks
the highest good
of the person loved, whether that person be
good or evil. See Matt. 5:44-48.
In what forms is the divine attribute of love revealed be-
fore the universe? Ex. 33:19. See also 34:5-7.
Mercy, graciousness, long-suffering are different expressions
of the quality of love.
Chesed,
the Hebrew equivalent of
agap6
(here translated "goodness") denotes steadfast love,' selfless
kindness, favor, mercy.
The divine attribute of love ever seeks the highest good of
each intelligent being. That highest good may require discipline,
but such action will not be vindictive. It will be in the best
interests of the creature and the creation.
"God's love has been expressed in His justice no less than
in His mercy. Justice is the foundation of His throne, and the
fruit of His love."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 762.
In what act did the Godhead disclose the depths and the
quality of divine love? 1 John 4:10.
"All the paternal love which has come down from generation
to generation through the channel of human hearts, all the
springs of tenderness which have opened in the souls of men,
are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean when compared
with the infinite, exhaustless love of
God."—Testimonies,
vol.
5, p. 740.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it important to Christian experience (in daily life
or crisis) to have a correct understanding of God's character?
"In order to endure the trial before them, they [command-
ment keepers] must understand the will of God as revealed in
His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right con-
ception of His character, government, and purposes, and act
in accordance with them."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 593.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"To Meet the Bridegroom," pp. 415,
416.
13.
The God Who Is There
LESSON 1
❑
Thursday
January 1
Part 5
A HOLY GOD
"I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne. . . . Above it
stood the seraphims. . . . And one cried unto another, and
said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is
full of his glory" (Isa. 6:1-3).
"Holiness is the foundation of God's throne; sin is the op-
posite of holiness; sin crucified the Son of
God."—Testimonies
to Ministers,
p. 145. "The crowning glory of Christ's attributes
is His holiness. . . . He is declared to be glorious in His holi-
ness. Study the character of
God."—Counsels to Parents,
Teachers, and Students,
p. 402.
The term "holiness" by which God is described refers to
His moral excellence. He is free from moral evil. His character
is absolute perfection, infinite purity. Because God is holy, His
word is truth. His dealings with the universe are righteous.
Because God is holy, He is the source and standard of the
right. His will, as expressed in His law, is "holy, and just, and
good" (Rom. 7:12). Justice is God's holiness expressing His
hatred of sin and His judgment upon it.
What effect did an understanding of God's holy character
have on Isaiah? Isa. 6:1-8.
"The contrast between the feeble praise which he had been
accustomed to bestow upon the Creator and the fervid praises
of the seraphim, astonished and humiliated the prophet. He
had for the time being the sublime privilege of appreciating
the spotless purity of Jehovah's exalted character. . . .
"In the light of this matchless radiance that made manifest
all he could bear in the revelation of the divine character, his
own inward defilement stood out before him with startling clear-
ness. His very words seemed vile to him."—Ellen G. White
Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 4, p. 1140.
What standard has God set for His children? 1 Peter
1:15, 16.
THINK IT THROUGH
How would a disclosure of God such as Isaiah experienced
affect me? Ponder the question asked in Isaiah 33:14. Read
verses 15-17.
"That which our people must have interwoven with their life
and character is the unfolding of the plan of redemption and
more elevated conceptions of God and His holiness, brought
into the life. The washing of the robes of character in the blood
of the Lamb is a work that we must attend to earnestly while
every defect of character is to be put
away."—Counsels
to
Writers and Editors,
p. 81.
FURTHER STUDY
The Ministry of Healing,
pp. 418-426.
14
The God Who Is There
LESSON 1
❑
Friday
January
2
Part 6
In addressing the pagans of Athens how did Paul explain
SOURCE OF LIFE
the origin of the earth and of humanity?
AND BEING
"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing
that he is Lord of heaven and earth, . . . giveth to all life,
and breath, and all things" (Acts 17:24, 25).
"All created beings live by the will and power of God. They
are dependent recipients of the life of God. From the highest
seraph to the humblest animate being, all are replenished from
the Source of life."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 785.
What does every human being derive from God? Acts
17:28.
"From Him all life proceeds. Only in harmony with Him can
be found its true sphere of action. For all the objects of His
creation the condition is the same—a life sustained by receiv-
ing the life of God, a life exercised in harmony with the Crea-
tor's will. To transgress His law, physical, mental, or moral, is
to place one's self out of harmony with the universe, to intro-
duce discord, anarchy,
ruin."—Edfication,
pp. 99, 100.
What kind of response should every intelligent being make
to his Creator? See Rev. 7:11; 14:7 (last part).
"The duty to worship God is based upon the fact that He is
the Creator."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 436.
"'The true ground of divine worship ... is found in the dis-
tinction between the Creator and His creatures. This great fact
can never become obsolete, and must never be forgotten.'—
J.
N.
Andrews,
History of the Sabbath,
chapter 27." (Quoted in
The Great Controversy,
pp. 437, 438.)
When an intelligent being acknowledges God as the Creator
of all things and the Sustainer of life, he immediately recognizes
that he owes to Him his full allegiance, love, and obedience.
He is not his own, but is dependent upon the gracious care of
his Maker. He recognizes that he is accountable to God for the
use of all his powers and possessions.
THINK IT THROUGH
Some think man evolved from animal ancestry. The Bible
depicts life as originating by the creative action of God. How
does my personal conviction about ,the origin of human life
affect my daily thought and conduct?
"By the first angel, men are called upon to 'fear God, and
give glory to Him' and to worship Him as the Creator of the
heavens and the earth. In order to do this, they must obey His
law. Says the wise man: 'Fear God, and keep His command-
ments: for this is the whole duty of man.' Ecclesiastes 12:13.
Without obedience to His commandments no worship can be
pleasing to God."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 436.
FURTHER STUDY
The Ministry of Healing,
pages 414-417.
15
LESSON 2
January 4-10
The Perfect
Provision
"I will open my mouth in para-
bles; I will utter things which have
been kept secret from the founda-
tion of the world" (Matt. 13:35).
When Adam and Eve toppled the
human family, so to speak, into the
treacherous ocean currents of sin,
God did not speculate on the pos-
sibility of rescue or question the
cost. Before time began, the rescue
operation had been carefully de-
vised by a loving and concerned
God. It was a divine secret, locked
deep in the heart of the Deity.
One of the unique attributes of
the Deity is omniscience. "I am God,
and there is none like me, declaring
the end from the beginning, and
from ancient times the things that
are not yet done" (Isa. 46:9, 10).
Deity foresaw the origin of evil.
"The plan for our redemption was
not an afterthought, a plan formu-
lated after the fall of Adam....
God did not ordain that sin should
exist, but He foresaw its existence,
and made provision to meet the ter-
rible emergency. So great was His
love for the world, that He cove-
nanted to give His only-begotten
Son, 'that whosoever believeth in
Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.' John 3:16."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 22.
Even though the risk was great
and fearful, God laid a plan to meet
the terrible contingency of sin. In-
finite Wisdom arranged its opera-
tions in such a manner that the is-
sues raised by sin and rebellion
would be fully met. Intelligent
beings would be given ample op-
portunity to observe the develop-
ment of the issues so that they
might freely approve the divine
course. Only thus could the happi-
ness and welfare of all created be-
ings be eternally secured. "Since the
service of love can alone be ac-
ceptable to God, the allegiance of
His creatures must rest upon a con-
viction of His justice and benevo-
lence."—The
Great Controversy,
p.
498.
Here and there in the Bible hints
are given of the decisions which the
Godhead made in eternity when the
plan of salvation was formulated.
These passages will constitute our
study this week.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Provision for Salvation
(1 Cor. 2:7)
2.
The Lamb Foreordained
(1 Peter 1:18-20)
3.
Life Only in Christ (Col. 1:26, 27)
4.
Destinies Determined (Titus 1:2)
5.
The Plan in Operation
(Eph. 3:10, 11)
6.
Divine Objectives (Eph. 1:4, 10)
The Perfect Provision
LESSON 2
❑
Sunday
January 4
Part 1
PROVISION FOR
SALVATION
"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the
hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto
our glory" (1 Cor. 2:7).
What is this "mystery" or "hidden wisdom" of which Paul
speaks? See Eph. 6:19. When did the Godhead devise it?
"The salvation of the human race has ever been the object
of the councils of heaven. The covenant of mercy was made
before the foundation of the world. It has existed from all eter-
nity, and is called the everlasting covenant. So surely as there
never was a time when God was not, so surely there never was
a moment when it was not the delight of the eternal mind to
manifest His grace to humanity."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7,
p. 934.
Sometime in eternity before the creation of this earth the
Godhead laid the plan of salvation. It was a costly plan that
was devised to meet the contingency of rebellion. The divine
prescription to meet the moral disease of sin, which one day
would convulse the universe, was locked in the heart of infinite
love to be "kept secret for long ages." Rom. 16:25, RSV.
What did the Godhead purpose to give mankind if the
race sinned? 2 Tim. 1:9, 10.
Grace
is God's unlimited, all-inclusive, transforming love
toward sinful men and women—His attitude of compassion and
mercy toward us who are undeserving sinners. The term is also
used in the sense of God's
power
to save a sinner from sin.
"We ourselves owe everything to God's free grace. Grace in
the covenant ordained our adoption. Grace in the Saviour ef-
fected our redemption, our regeneration, and our exaltation to
heirship with Christ. Let this grace be revealed to others."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 250.
THINK IT THROUGH
As a Christian why do I wish the gospel plan to be suc-
cessful?
"Those who think of the result of hastening or hindering the
gospel think of it in relation to themselves and to the world.
Few think of its relation to God. Few give thought to the suffer-
ing that sin has caused our Creator. All heaven suffered in
Christ's agony; but that suffering did not begin or end with His
manifestation in humanity. The cross is a revelation to our dull
senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought
to the heart of
God."—Education,
p. 263.
FURTHER STUDY
Counsels on Health,
p. 222.
18
The Perfect Provision
LESSON 2
❑
Monday
January 5
Part 2
According to Peter, what was the central provision of the
THE LAMB
plan of salvation as the Godhead devised it?
FOREORDAINED
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with
corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain con-
versation . . . ; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a
lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was fore-
ordained before the foundation of the world" (1 Peter 1:18-20).
"The throne of God must not bear one stain of crime, one
taint of sin. In the councils of heaven, before the world was
created, the Father and the Son covenanted together that if
man proved disloyal to God, Christ, one with the Father, would
take the place of the transgressor, and suffer the penalty of
justice that must fall upon him."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 6, p. 1070.
How does Peter indicate that Christ's death did not hap-
pen. by mere chance or malice? Acts 2:23.
Neither Roman nor Jew was forced to crucify the Saviour,
but, through the choices they made, both the nature of sin and
the character of God were revealed.
What did the central provision of a substitute require of
God the Son in order to accomplish the atoning death? Phil.
2:5-7. See also John 1:14 (first part).
In taking human nature Christ took Adam's place and thereby
became the Head of the race.
"The reconciliation of man to God could be accomplished
only through a mediator who was equal with God, possessed
of attributes that would dignify, and declare him worthy to treat
with the Infinite God in man's behalf, and also represent God
to a fallen world. Man's substitute and surety must have man's
nature, a connection with the human family whom he was to
represent, and, as God's ambassador, he must partake of the
divine nature, have a connection with the Infinite, in order to
manifest God to the world, and be a mediator between God
and man."—Ellen G. White,
Review and Herald,
December 22,
1891.
THINK IT THROUGH
"Had God pardoned Adam's sin without an atonement, sin
would have been immortalized, and would have been perpet-
uated with a boldness that would have been without restraint."
—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary, vol.
1, p.
1082.
"Were there no justice, no penalty, there would be no sta-
bility to the government of God. It is the mingling of judgment
and mercy that makes salvation complete."—Ellen G. White
Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 5, p. 1133.
FURTHER STUDY
Gospel Workers,
p. 315;
Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 63-65.
19
2-A.Q. 1-76
The Perfect Provision
LESSON 2
❑
Tuesday
January 6
"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and
from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to
whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the
hope of glory" (Col. 1:26, 27).
The experience described by the phrase "Christ in you"
(see also Gal. 2:20) is accomplished by the indwelling pres-
ence of the Holy Spirit in the believer. Thus the human will is
submissive to Christ's will, and the life reflective of His attri-
butes. Christ, through His Spirit, lives on earth again in the per-
son of His child.
Since the sinful human will is not submissive to God, and
the sinner's character reflects instead the attributes of Satan,
the passage in Colossians 1:26, 27 hints at the provision the
Godhead made to break the
power
of sin in the life and to
transform the character.
What is the divine provision to break the controlling power
of sin in the life? John 14:16-18.
There are two aspects of sin in human existence that the
plan was designed to meet. First, the
penalty
for sin would be
met by our divine-human Substitute, Jesus Christ, by His aton-
ing death. Second, the
power
of sin in the life would be broken
by the indwelling Christ through the medium of the Holy Spirit.
"The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and
without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail.
. . . Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the
mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would
come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine
power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been
wrought out by the world's Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that
the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes
a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as
a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated ten-
dencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His
church."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 671.
What traits will the Holy Spirit be able to develop in the
person who is under His control? Gal. 5:22, 23.
"The Spirit that reveals, also works in him the fruits of righ-
teousness. . . . What is the character of the fruit borne?— The
fruit of the Spirit is 'love,' not hatred; 'joy,' not discontent and
mourning; 'peace,' not irritation, anxiety, and manufactured
trials."—Gospel
Workers,
p. 287.
THINK IT THROUGH
How can I tell whether or not I have experienced a new
birth as a result of the Holy Spirit's operation?
FURTHER STUDY
Gospel Workers,
pp. 284-289.
20
Part 3
LIFE ONLY
IN CHRIST
The Perfect Provision
LESSON 2
❑
Wednesday
January 7
Part 4
What ultimate future did the Godhead agree to give those
DESTINIES
penitent sinners who would accept the plan?
DETERMINED
"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, prom-
ised before the world began" (Titus 1:2).
"In Him [Christ] was life, original, unborrowed, underived.
This life is not inherent in man. He can possess it only through
Christ. He cannot earn it; it is given him as a free gift if he
will believe in Christ as his personal Saviour. . . . This is the
open fountain of life for the world."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 1,
pp. 296, 297.
What also did the Godhead agree to prepare for the re-
deemed? Matt. 25:34.
The text reads literally in the original, "Inherit the has-been-
prepared-for-you kingdom from the foundation of world." The
Greek tense denotes a completed action. Yet the verse points
back to a time in eternity when the plan was laid. God envi-
sioned the restored earth before the original earth was created!
"Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of
the righteous....
"There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside
them waving trees. . . . There the wide-spreading plains swell
into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty
summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams,
God's people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a
home."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 675.
What ultimate destiny did the Godhead also determine
for Satan, his angels, and followers? Matt. 25:41.
The Greek tense of the verb "prepared" is the same as in
verse 34 and relates back to the same time and councils.
THINK IT THROUGH
What insight into God's character have you gained in
knowing that the ultimate destinies of righteousness and re-
bellion were determined in eternity?
"A life of rebellion against God has unfitted them [those who
follow Satan] for heaven. Its purity, holiness, and peace would
be torture to them; the glory of God would be a consuming
fire. They would long to flee from that holy place. They would
welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face
of Him who died to redeem them. The destiny of the wicked
is fixed by their own choice. Their exclusion from heaven is
voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part
of God....
"It is in mercy to the universe that God will finally destroy
the rejecters of His grace."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 543.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 541-543.
21
2-A.Q. 1-76
The Perfect Provision
LESSON 2
❑
Thursday
January 8
Part 5
THE PLAN IN
OPERATION
What did the Godhead intend for the intelligent universe
to see as the plan became operative in the earth?
"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers
in heavenly places might be known by the church the mani-
fold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which
he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph. 3:10, 11).
God foresaw the origin of evil and the outbreak of rebellion.
He knew He would be challenged by intelligent beings created
by Him. Divine motives, commands, and sovereignty would be
questioned. The plan was, therefore, so devised by Infinite
Wisdom that its operation would disclose to the universe the
many facets of the divine character and purposes.
God intends that His church on earth should be a demonstra-
tion, in embryo as it were, of the final fulfillment of His eternal
purposes for the universe. To fallen and unfallen intelligences
alike the church is to show forth the wisdom of the perfect
principles on which the divine government rests.
What heavenly beings does the apostle Peter describe as
desiring to understand the plan of salvation? 1 Peter 1:10-12.
"The plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper pur-
pose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that
Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants
of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be
regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before
the
universe."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 68.
THINK IT THROUGH
What kind of witness to God's grace do I present to a
watching universe in my daily life? in times of crisis?
"The Lord Jesus is making experiments on human hearts
through the exhibition of His mercy and abundant grace. He is
effecting transformations so amazing that Satan, with all his
triumphant boasting, with all his confederacy of evil united
against God and the laws of His government, stands viewing
them as a fortress impregnable to his sophistries and delu-
sions. They are to him an incomprehensible mystery. The angels
of God, seraphim and cherubim, the powers commissioned to
cooperate with human agencies, look on with astonishment
and joy, that fallen men, once children of wrath, are through
the training of Christ developing characters after the divine
similitude, to be sons and daughters of God, to act an impor-
tant part in the occupations and pleasures of
heaven."—Tes-
timonies to Ministers,
p. 18.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 503, 504.
22
The Perfect Provision
LESSON 2
❑
Friday
January
9
Part 6
What was the ultimate goal to be achieved by the plan of
DIVINE
salvation?
OBJECTIVES
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foun-
dation of the world, that we should be holy and without
blame before him in love... .
"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might
gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are
in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him" (Eph. 1:4, 10).
The emergence of sin would bring disharmony into the
peaceful universe of holy beings. Rebellion would cause divi-
sion. To be successful the plan would have to heal a terrible
rupture. To restore harmony it would have to meet four basic
objectives:
1.
To vindicate the character, law, and government of God
all of which had been challenged.
2.
To secure the loyalty of intelligent beings who had not
joined the renellion but who would be confused by it.
3.
To effect the salvation of all repentant members of the
rebelling human family.
4.
To destroy Satan, the other fallen angels, and impenitent
man; and to erase the effects of sin.
In the final executive phase of the judgment, what will
both the loyal and disloyal confess? Rom. 14:10-12.
Notice these striking statements from
The Great Controversy:
"The whole wicked world stand arraigned at the bar of
God."—Page 668.
"All see that their exclusion from heaven is just."—Page 668.
"Satan bows down and confesses the justice of his sen-
tence."—Page 670.
"With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the
whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord
declare: 'Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.' "
—Page 671.
With what beautiful picture of coming harmony in a sinless
universe does the Bible encourage us? Rev. 21:3, 4.
THINK IT THROUGH
Is my present religious experience a drudgery or a delight?
What can I do to make it harmonious with His will?
"This earth is the place of preparation for heaven. The time
spent here is the Christian's winter. Here the chilly winds of
affliction blow upon us, and the waves of trouble roll against
us. But in the near future, when Christ comes, sorrow and
sighing will be forever ended. Then will be the Christian's sum-
mer. All trials will be over, and there will be no more sickness
or death."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 7,
p. 988.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 651, 675-678.
23
LESSON 3
January 11-17
The Roots of
Wrong
Obedience to
,
God's authority was questioned; and,
with the first sin, creation began
to experience degeneration and death.
"And every creature which is in
heaven, and on the earth, and under
the earth, and such as are in the sea,
and all that are in them, heard I say-
ing, Blessing, and honour, and glory,
and power, be unto him that sitteth
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb
for ever and ever" (Rev. 5:13).
In this passage the apostle John
witnesses (in vision) a great ascrip-
tion of praise to the Deity from all
creation.
Our study this week notes that the
creation of the universe and of in-
telligent beings was based on har-
mony in the divine government, and
all creatures rendered loving alle-
giance to the Creator. But one arose
to challenge the divine rule, to ques-
tion the necessity of living under a
governing authority.
That question is still with us today.
The fact is, however, that there is no
such thing as freedom from all con-
trol. Every individual is subject to
some kind of authority—whether it
be to the will of another person, his
own passions, or some craving or
habit. The drug or drink addict, for
example, finds himself shackled to a
cruel and relentless master.
Even inanimate nature is under
authority. Music is subject to the
laws of harmony. The great jet air-
liners are subject to the laws of aero-
dynamics. The simple kite is depen-
dent upon the authority of the cord
which holds it, if it is to soar suc-
cessfu lly.
The wise person, in everyday liv-
ing, willingly seeks out meaningful
authority. If he is taken with a seri-
ous illness, he submits himself to
the authority of the best physician
he can find. In legal matters he re-
tains a reputable attorney. In edu-
cation he places himself under the
authority of qualified teachers. The
search is for the best authority pos-
ible.
The quest should be the same in
spiritual matters. The question is not
How may I escape being subject to
authority? but rather Under what
authority will life make sense? Will
life be meaningful and fruitful?
When we consider the potential
of the intelligent beings in the uni-
verse—angel, man, inhabitant of
other worlds—we sense that the
most useful governmental authority
for these would be one which would
foster the fullest development of the
mental, physical, and spiritual pow-
ers. Only an authority which seeks
the highest good of each being
could accomplish these ends. Such
was the divine rule of love under
which the whole creation came into
existence.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
A Perfect Universe (Rom. 1:20)
2.
Perfect Created Beings (Ps. ,
148:2, 5)
3.
Man in the Image of God
(Heb. 2:6, 7)
4.
A Perfect Relationship (Ps. 103:
19; 89:14)
5.
The First Rebel (2 Peter 2:4;
Jude 6)
6.
Open Revolt (Eze. 28:17; Isa.
14:13,14)
The Roots of Wrong
LESSON 3
❑
Sunday
January 11
Part 1
A PERFECT
UNIVERSE
What witness to God does the natural creation make?
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the
world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that
are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they
are without excuse" (Rom. 1:20).
"His invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity,
has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made"
(RSV).
See also Ps. 19:1.
"Why did not our heavenly Father carpet the earth with
brown or gray? He chose the color that was most restful, the
most acceptable to the senses. . . . Without this covering the
air would be filled with dust, and the earth would appear like
a desert. Every spire of grass, every opening bud and blooming
flower is a token of God's love, and should teach us a lesson
of faith and trust in Him."—Sons
and Daughters of God,
p. 75.
Although the Godhead cooperated in the creation of the
universe, who was the active agent? Heb. 1:1, 2; John 1:1-3,
10, 14.
"The hand that sustains the worlds in space, the hand that
holds in their orderly arrangement and tireless activity all things
throughout the universe of God, is the hand that was nailed
to the cross for
us."—Education,
p. 132.
How extensive is the natural creation? Col. 1:16; Isa.
40:26; 45:12.
For what purpose was the natural universe brought into
existence? Rev. 4:11.
"It pleased God to bring the universe into existence and to
give life to its creatures. . . . There was nothing desirable from
His point of view in being alone in an empty universe. It pleased
Him that the universe should be peopled with intelligent beings,
capable of appreciating and reflecting His infinite love and per-
fect character. This was His purpose in creating them."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Rev. 4:11.
THINK IT THROUGH
God never intended the natural creation to be worshiped.
However, as a Christian how may it minister to my spiritual
experience? See Matt. 6:26-30; Psalm 8.
"Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is
too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules
over all the affairs of the universe."—Steps
to Christ,
p. 100.
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 44-47.
26
The Roots of Wrong
LESSON 3
❑
Monday
January 12
Part 2
PERFECT
CREATED BEINGS
FURTHER STUDY
How did the angels originate? By whose action?
"Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his
hosts. . . .
"Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded,
and they were created" (Ps. 148:2, 5).
See also Col. 1:16.
With whom are the angels particularly associated?. Rev.
5:11; Heb. 1:7; Ps. 103:20.
The term "angel" derives from the Greek word
aggelos
(pro-
nounced ahng/e1i5s) meaning "messenger." Angels are also'
designated "ministers," the Greek word meaning "one who
serves in religious or spiritual things."
"Angels are God's ministers, radiant with the light ever
flowing from His presence and speeding on rapid wing to exe-
cute His
will."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 34.
Toward whom has God particularly directed the ministry
of angels? Heb. 1:14; Ps. 91:11; Matt. 18:10.
"The angels of glory find their joy in giving,—giving love
and tireless watchcare to souls that are fallen and unholy.
Heavenly beings woo the hearts of men; they bring to this dark
world light from the courts above; by gentle and patient min-
istry they move upon the human spirit, to bring the lost into a
fellowship with Christ which is even closer than they themselves
can know."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 21.
What Biblical evidence is there that there are other created
intelligent beings in the universe besides angels and man-
kind? Col. 1:16; Rev. 12:12; 1 Peter 3:22; Eph. 3:10, 11.
Peter distinguishes between "angels" and "authorities and
powers" who became subject to Christ at His ascension. Since
this was not true of fallen angels and earthly powers, it is prob-
ably to be understood as referring to the unfallen angels and
worlds who then fully acknowledged His lordship.
How can I cooperate with the ministry of the angels in my
behalf?
"Angels mark your prayers, and if these prayers have not
gone forth out of feigned lips, when you are in danger of un-
consciously doing wrong . . . , your guardian angel will be by
your side, prompting you to a better course, choosing your
words for you, and influencing your actions."—Testimonies,
vol. 3, pp. 363, 364.
The Great Controversy,
pp. 512, 513;
Education,
p. 305.
27
The Roots of Wrong
LESSON 3
❑
Tuesday
January 13
Part 3
MAN IN THE
IMAGE OF GOD
What order of intelligent beings did the Godhead bring
into existence at some time after the creation of angels?
"But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man,
that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou
visitest him? Thou modest him a little lower than the angels;
thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him
over the works of thy hands" (Heb. 2:6, 7).
"Before the creation of man, angels were in existence. . . .
Angels are in nature superior to men, for the psalmist says
that man was made 'a little lower than the angels.' Psalm 8:5."
—The Great Controversy,
p. 511.
"All heaven took a deep and joyful interest in the creation
of the world and of man. Human beings were a new and dis-
tinct order. . . . It was the Creator's design that they should
populate the earth."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible
Commentary, vol.
1, p. 1081.
How did the Godhead purpose to create mankind? Gen.
1:26, 27.
What does the phrase "image of God" mean? "When Adam
came from the Creator's hand, he bore, in his physical, mental,
and spiritual nature, a likeness to his Maker. . . . It was His
purpose that the longer man lived the more fully he should
reveal this image—the more fully reflect the glory of the Crea-
tor. All his faculties were capable of development; their capac-
ity and vigor were continually to increase. Vast was the scope
offered for their exercise, glorious the field opened to their
research."—Education,
p. 15.
"Every human being, created in the image of God, is en-
dowed with a power akin to that of the Creator—individuality,
power to think and to
do."—Education,
p.
17.
Being made in the "image of God" permitted what kind
of relationship to be established between the Creator and
man? This relationship will be restored in the new earth.
See Rev. 21:3; 22:3, 4.
"Face-to-face, heart-to-heart communion with his Maker was
his high privilege."—Education, p. 15.
THINK IT THROUGH
If God created me in order that He might enjoy fellowship
with me, how may I now cultivate this relationship?
FURTHER STUDY
28
"Many of you have a twilight perception of Christ's excel-
lence.... Give yourselves the culture of spiritual thoughts and
holy communings."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 318.
Education,
pp. 14, 18.
The Roots of Wrong
LESSON 3
❑
Wednesday
January 14
"What are the characteristics of the divine government
under which angels, inhabitants of other worlds, and man
were placed at their creation?
"The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and
his kingdom ruleth over all" (Ps. 103:19).
"Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne:
mercy and truth shall go before thy face" (Ps. 89:14).
Since holy love is the chief attribute of God, all created
beings were placed under a governing authority that provided
the highest good for each individual and the creation as a
whole. There existed an atmosphere of love conducive to the
perfect growth and development of all the faculties of intelli-
gent beings. "Love for God was supreme, love for one another
impartial."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 493.
What right has God given to each of the intelligent beings
He has created? Deut. 30:19; Jude 6.
The evidence of this right is seen in the simple test required
of our first parents (Gen. 2:17), a similar test on other worlds
(Early Writings,
p. 40), and the fact that some of the angels
chose to rebel against the divine rule. "God desires from all
His creatures the service of love—homage that springs from
an intelligent appreciation of His character. He takes no pleas-
ure in a forced allegiance, and to all He grants freedom of
will, that they may render Him voluntary service."—The
Great
Controversy,
p. 493.
What makes it evident that man was placed on probation
—that none had a natural immortality? Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor.
15:51-53.
"Like the angels, the dwellers in Eden had been placed upon
probation."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
p. 53.
THINK IT THROUGH
Some things God has expressly commanded or forbidden.
In other areas Christians must make decisions based on prin-
ciple. Would you prefer a list of dos and don'ts or the freedom
to exercise your choice in the light of Biblical principles? Ex-
plain your answer.
"God might have created them [our first parents]—without
the power to transgress His requirements, but in that case there
could have been no development of character; their service
would not have been voluntary, but forced. Therefore He gave
them the power of choice—the power to yield or to withhold
obedience."—Education, p. 23.
Part 4
A PERFECT
RELATIONSHIP
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 52, 53.
29
The Roots of Wrong
LESSON 3
❑
Thursday
January 15
Part 5
THE FIRST
REBEL
Among which of the intelligent beings in God's creation
did sin and rebellion arise?
"God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them
down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to
be reserved unto judgment" (2 Peter 2:4).
"And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left
their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains
under darkness unto judgment of the great day" (Jude 6).
Do the Scriptures give any hint to suggest that the divine
rule of love was at fault to cause the rebellion?
"Nothing is more plainly taught in Scripture than that God
was in no wise responsible for the entrance of sin; that there
was no arbitrary withdrawal of divine grace, no deficiency in
the divine government, that gave occasion for the uprising of
rebellion. Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no reason
can be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it is
to defend it."—The
Great Controversy,
pp. 492, 493.
The angelic revolt developed through the instigation of the
angel Lucifer. What was his original position and character?
Eze. 28:12-15.
"Evil originated with Lucifer, who rebelled against the gov-
ernment of God. Before his fall he was a covering cherub,
distinguished by his excellence. God made him good and
beautiful, as near as possible like Himself."—Ellen G. White
Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 4, p. 1163.
The title, "cherub that covereth" brings to mind the ark of the
covenant. Each of two cherubs spread a wing each over the sa-
cred chest. The title suggests that Lucifer stood within the
presence of God's glory and assisted in communicating the di-
vine will to the other angels and the universe. The dissatisfac-
tion of such a personage made his deceptions among the
angels well-nigh overwhelming.
THINK IT THROUGH
When in pride I flout the legitimate authority of my gov-
ernment, church, school, or home, with whom am I cooperat-
ing?
"There is a grand rebellion in the earthly universe. Is there
not a great leader of that rebellion? Is not Satan the life and
soul of every species of rebellion which he himself has insti-
gated?"—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 4, p. 1163.
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 37-41.
30
The Roots of Wrong
LESSON 3
❑
Friday
January 16
"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou
hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness" (Eze.
28:17).
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: ... I will ascend
above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High"
(Isa. 14:13, 14).
"I will rival the Most High" (verse 14, Jerusalem Bible).
What do these passages suggest as to how Lucifer began
a course of action which eventually led to his revolt?
"Satan fell because of his ambition to be equal with God.
He desired to enter into the divine counsels and purposes, from
which he was excluded by his own inability, as a created being,
to comprehend the wisdom of the Infinite One. It was this am-
bitious pride that led to his
rebellion."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p.
702.
What appears to have been the spark which started this
highly positioned angel in a wrong course of reasoning?
"When God said to His Son, 'Let us make man in our image,'
Satan was jealous of Jesus. He wished to be consulted con-
cerning the formation of man, and because he was not, he was
filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred."—Early
Writings,
p. 145.
Of what two sins does Jesus say Lucifer was guilty in
heaven? John 8:44. Whom did he murder? See 1 John 3:15.
Unsuspected by his fellow angels because of his position,
Lucifer began to poison their minds against God.
When Lucifer gained sufficient support from the angels he
had alienated, he openly defied God. What were the results?
Rev. 12:7-9.
"Satan thought that if he could carry the angels of heaven
with him in rebellion, he could carry also the other worlds."—
The Great Controversy,
p. 497.
THINK IT THROUGH
What are my true feelings when a colleague is promoted
above me, or an acquaintance is given special recognition?
Why do I react this way?
"Envy is one of the most despicable traits of Satanic char-
acter. It is constantly seeking the lifting up of self, by casting
slurs upon others. A man who is envious will belittle his neigh-
bor. . .. He hates to hear the praises of another....
"The great controversy between Christ and the prince of
darkness, is carried on in everyday, practical life."—Ellen G.
White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 1159.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 495-497.
31
Part 6
OPEN REVOLT
LESSON 4
January 18-24
Principles of
Rebellion
"Shall the thing formed say to him
that formed it, Why hast thou made
me thus?" (Rom. 9:20).
Although the apostle Paul is think-
ing of Israel's challenges to God—a
nation He had formed, yet he states
a universal truth. The creature is not
in a position to challenge his Crea-
tor.
It is difficult for us to grasp the
enormity of the rebellion instigated
by Lucifer. Until his disaffection the
divine will had never been chal-
lenged. Nothing had marred the uni-
versal harmony. Love, pulsating in
the hearts of intelligent beings, felt
no galling yoke in the divine admin-
istration.
Then it was there—discontent,
smoldering dissatisfaction, questions,
doubts. The divine will was chal-
lenged—not by some individual far
out on the edge of the star-studded
universe, but by the covering cherub
at the very throne of God! Never
before had any creature formed by
the divine hand questioned his
Maker.
Our study this week will examine
what appear to be the main issues
Lucifer raised—the challenges which
he flung at his Creator. These issues
focus attention upon the Deity. In a
sense God was placed on trial by the
accusations of Lucifer.
Little did Lucifer, the angels, or
the inhabitants of the other worlds
realize that the Godhead was pre-
pared for the terrible emergency.
The plan of salvation lay hidden in
the heart of God. The divine secret
would provide the divine answer to
the challenges of the creature. Time
would be permitted the watching
universe to see the operations of the
principles of rebellion against the
divine government. Then the fullest
revelation of the Deity would be
given in the person of God the Son.
"For four thousand years, Christ
was working for man's uplifting, and
Satan for his ruin and degradation.
And the heavenly universe beheld it
all."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 759.
Then Christ came to present clearly
the plan and the character of God.
"God's dealings with rebellion
will result in fully unmasking the
work that has so long been carried
on under cover. The results of Sa-
tan's rule, the fruits of setting aside
the divine statutes, will be laid open
to the view of all created intelli-
gences. The law of God will stand
fully vindicated. It will be seen that
all the dealings of God have been
conducted with reference to the
eternal good of His people, and the
good of all the worlds that He has
created. Satan himself, in the pres-
ence of the witnessing universe, will
confess the justice of God's govern-
ment and the righteousness of His
law."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
pp.
338, 339.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Attack on Law and Government
(1 John 3:4)
2.
Impugning God's Character
(John 8:44)
3.
Seeking Independence From God
(Isa. 14:12-14)
4.
Finding Fault With God's Mercy
(Zech. 3:1-4)
5.
Denying Christ's Authority
(Matt. 4:8, 9)
6.
God Faces Rebellion (Rev. 12:9;
Rom. 11
:33)
Principles of
Rebellion
LESSON 4
Sunday
January 18
Part 1
What is the Scripture's definition of sin?
GOVERNMENT
ATTACK ON
LAW AND
sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4).
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for
"Our only definition of sin is that given in the word of God;
it is 'the transgression of the law,' it is the outworking of a
principle at war with the great law of love which is the founda-
tion of the divine government."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 493.
Does this mean that sin is only the casual breaking of a
list of ten rules? Compare Ps. 40:8; Rom. 2:17, 18. With what
is the law equated? What really is the law?
"The law is to be presented to its transgressors, not as
something apart from God, but rather as an exponent of His
mind and character. As the sunlight cannot be separated from
the sun, so God's law cannot be rightly presented to man apart
from the divine Author."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 1, p. 371.
Sin is thus opposition to the personal will of God.
Are good and just laws, designed for the good of the gov-
erned, restrictive? See 1 John 5:3; Deut. 10:12, 13.
Does love place limits? When a mother forbids her child
to touch a hot iron, her love has placed limits upon the child
by means of her expressed will. Is her law "arbitrary," or is it
dictated by her loving concern?
What did Lucifer do? 1 John 3:8. From this verse what may
we infer about Lucifer's challenge of the law of God?
"He reiterated his claim that angels needed no control, but
should be left to follow their own will, which would ever guide
them right. He denounced the divine statutes as a restriction
of their liberty and declared that it was his purpose to secure
the abolition of law; that, freed from this restraint, the hosts of
heaven might enter upon a more exalted, more glorious state
of existence."—T
he Great Controversy,
p. 499.
THINK IT THROUGH
In what way is today's emphasis on situational ethics a
reflection of the original challenge of God's law? How do I
know what is the loving thing to do in a given situation?
"This work of opposition to the law of God had its beginning
in the courts of heaven, with Lucifer."—Selected
Messages,
bk.
1, p. 222.
"Since their natures were holy, he urged that the angels
should obey the dictates of their own will."—The
Great Contro-
versy,
p. 495.
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 37, 38.
34
Principles of Rebellion
LESSON 4
❑
Monday
January
/9
Since Lucifer spurned God's law and governing control,
what kind of lying among the angels would he have done?
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your
father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When
he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and
the father of it" (John 8:44).
In calling God's law into question, Lucifer in effect raised
doubts about the character of God. If the divine laws are re-
strictive and not beneficial, then God must have had bad or ul-
terior motives in placing the intelligent creation under such
laws.
Notice three statements from
The Great Controversy:
"It
was his policy to perplex the angels with subtle argu-
ments concerning the purposes of God."—Page 497.
"He had sought to falsify the word of God and had misrep-
resented His plan of government before the angels, claiming
that God was not just in laying laws and rules upon the inhabi-
tants of heaven; that in requiring submission and obedience
from His creatures, He was seeking merely the exaltation of
Himself."—Page 498.
"He . . . had declared that while the Creator exacted self-
denial from all others, He Himself practiced no self-denial and
made no sacrifice."—Page 502.
When God questioned Adam and Eve after their sin, how
did they meet the confrontation of their error? Whom did
they blame? Gen. 3:9-12.
Neither admitted guilt. Both justified themselves by passing
blame, ultimately implying that blame was due to God.
"The discord which his own course had caused in heaven,
Satan charged upon the law and government of God. All evil
he declared to be the result of the divine administration. He
claimed that it was his own object to improve upon the statutes
of Jehovah....
"To the very close of the controversy in heaven, the great
usurper continued to justify himself."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 498, 499.
THINK IT THROUGH
It
is sometimes suggested that the enforcement of rules
creates rebellion in the home and school. What do you think?
"With one accord, Satan and his host threw the blame
of their rebellion wholly upon Christ, declaring that if they had
not been reproved, they would never have rebelled."—Ellen G.
White Comments,
SDA Bible. Commentary,
vol. 4, p. 1162.
. FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 335-339.
35
3-A.Q. 1-76
Part 2
IMPUGNING
GOD'S
CHARACTER
Principles of Rebellion
LESSON 4
❑
Tuesday
January 20
"How art thou fallen from heaven, 0 Lucifer, son of the
morning! . . . For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend
into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:
. . . I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be
like the most High" (Isa. 14:12-14).
What do the "I's" inform us about Lucifer's idea of what
a creature's relationship should be to his Creator?
The primary sin of the creature is to attempt to be indepen-
dent of the Creator, to be his own center and god. "Self-idolatry
. . . lies at the foundation of all
sin."—Gospel Workers,
p. 114.
Lucifer's charges against the law, government, and character
of God hid from the angels his real intent: to gain independence
from the divine sovereignty.
"Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub,
desired to be first in heaven."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 21. "Not
content with his position, . . . he ventured to covet homage
due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God
supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings,
it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to him-
self."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 35. "He gloried in his
brightness and exaltation, and aspired to be equal with God."
—The Great Controversy,
p. 495.
What fundamental truth was God attempting to teach
Israel by the 40-year miracle of the manna? Deut. 8:3.
Sin is more than the mere breaking of a rule; it is the asser-
tion of the will to be independent of God. See Romans 14:23.
True repentance is more than the confession of a wrong; it is
the surrender of the will to God and a dependence upon Him.
In contrast to Lucifer, what perfect example did Jesus give
us? John 6:38; Matt. 26:39.
"His confidence in His heavenly Father was unlimited. His
obedience and submission were unreserved and perfect"—
Testimonies, vol.
3, p. 107.
THINK IT THROUGH
As a professing Christian, how am I relating to this cen-
tral issue of self in the sin problem?
"Selfishness is the essence of depravity, and because human
beings have yielded to its power, the opposite of allegiance to
God is seen in the world today. Nations, families, and individ-
uals are filled with a desire to make self a center. Man longs
to rule over his fellow men. Separating himself in his egotism
from God and his fellow beings, he follows his unrestrained
inclinations. He acts as if the good of others depended on
their subjection to his supremacy."—Counsels
on Stewardship,
p. 24.
The Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 163, 164.
Part 3
SEEKING
INDEPENDENCE
FROM GOD
FURTHER STUDY
36
Principles of Rebellion
LESSON 4
❑
Wednesday
January 21
Part 4
FINDING FAULT
WITH GOD'S
MERCY
"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before
the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand
to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke
thee, 0 Satan; . . . is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood be-
fore the angel. And he . . . spake . . . , saying, Take away
the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold,
I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will
clothe thee with change of raiment" (Zech. 3:1-4).
This vision depicts the spiritual condition of the Jewish
exiles returned from Babylonian captivity. The priest in filthy
clothing is representing the nation in its sinful condition. He
is asking for mercy. Satan is depicted as resisting—protesting
an act of mercy on God's part to the sinful nation. The vision
reflects Lucifer's claim that justice and mercy are incom-
patible, that God could not in fairness show mercy and for-
giveness.
How was this issue reflected at other times in Bible history?
Jude 9; Rev. 12:10.
"In the opening of the great controversy, Satan had declared
that the law of God could not be obeyed, that justice was in-
consistent with mercy, and that, should the law be broken, it
would be impossible for the sinner to be pardoned. Every sin
must meet its punishment, urged Satan; and if God should remit
the punishment of sin, He would not be a God of truth and
justice. When men broke the law of God, and defied His will,
Satan exulted. It was proved, he declared, that the law could
not be obeyed; man could not be forgiven. Because he, after
his rebellion, had been banished from heaven, Satan claimed
that the human race must be forever shut out from God's favor.
God could not be just, he urged, and yet show mercy to the
sinner."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 761.
How would the Godhead eventually meet this charge?
Rom. 3:23-26.
THINK IT THROUGH
What are my attitudes toward backsliders who have been
rebaptized? Do I fellowship with them graciously?
"Through Jesus, God's mercy was manifested to men; but
mercy does not set aside justice. The law reveals the attributes
of God's character, and not a jot or tittle of it could be changed
to meet man in his fallen condition. God did not change His
law, but He sacrificed Himself, in Christ, for man's redemp-
tion."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 762.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages, pp. 762, 763.
37
3-A.Q. 1-76
Principles of Rebellion
LESSON 4
❑
Thursday
January 22
"Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high
mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world,
and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things
will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (Matt.
4:8, 9).
The third temptation reflects the bitter antagonism of Satan
which he developed in heaven toward Christ. What did he
presume to demand of the Son of God?
"It was in seeking to exalt himself above the Son of God
that Satan had sinned in heaven."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 129.
"This prince of angels aspired to power which it was the
prerogative of Christ alone to wield. . . .
"'Why,' questioned this mighty angel, 'should Christ have
the supremacy? Why is He thus honored above Lucifer?'
"—
The Great Controversy,
pp. 494, 495.
"When Satan learned the purpose of God, he was envious
at Christ, and jealous because the Father had not consulted
him in regard to the creation of
man."—Spiritual Gifts,
vol. 3,
p. 36.
Who at the head of the loyal angels opposed Lucifer and
the rebelling angels? Rev. 12:7-9.
"Michael" in Hebrew means "Who is like God?" An identifi-
cation of Michael may be made by comparing Jude 9; 1 Thes-
salonians 4:16; and John 5:28. Christ is the One who is like
God and raises the dead. "Michael was known amongst the
ancient Jews as the angel or prince who had special charge
of the nation of Israel. The very best Jewish writers concur
in teaching that the name 'Michael' is the same as the title
`Messiah.' "—Joseph Parker,
The People's Bible,
vol. 16, p.
438; cited in
Questions on Doctrine
(Washington, DC: Review
and Herald Publishing Assoc., 1957), p. 74.
When did Satan's full malice break upon Christ? See Luke
22:53; Eph. 6:12.
"The pent-up fires of envy and malice, hatred and revenge,
burst forth on Calvary against the Son of God, while all heaven
gazed upon the scene in silent horror."—The
Great Contro-
versy,
p. 501.
THINK IT THROUGH
What can I do to prevent attitudes of envy and jealousy
from taking root in my mind? Matt. 20:28; 1 Cor. 12:12-27.
"God dispenses His gifts as it pleases Him. . . . It is in
God's order that some shall be of service in one line of work,
and others in other lines—all working under the selfsame Spirit.
The recognition of this plan will be a safeguard against emula-
tion, pride, envy, or contempt of one another. It will strengthen
unity and mutual
love."—Counsels to Parents and Teachers,
pp. 314, 315.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
p. 600.
38
Part 5
DENYING
CHRIST'S
AUTHORITY
Principles of Rebellion
LESSON 4
❑
Friday
January 23
What was the divine decision regarding Lucifer and the
other rebelling angels when they openly threw off the Crea-
tor's authority? Why does this decision seem mysterious?
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent,
called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world:
he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out
with him" (Rev. 12:9).
"0
the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowl-
edge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his
ways are past finding out!" (Rom. 11:33).
"Many mysteries yet remain unrevealed. How much that is
acknowledged to be truth is mysterious and unexplainable to
the human mind! How dark seem the dispensations of Provi-
dence! What necessity there is for implicit faith and trust in
God's moral government!"—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA
Bible Commentary,
vol. 6, p. 1091.
The existence of evil has been, and is, a great perplexity
to the human mind. Human suffering is the lot of good and
bad. These sufferings often cause sinful man to blame God.
And at times even the righteous are perplexed.
Why did the Godhead permit the angelic rebels to live and
to exercise their powers?
"Even when it was decided that he could no longer remain
in heaven, Infinite Wisdom did not destroy Satan. Since the
service of love can alone be acceptable to God, the allegiance
of His creatures must rest upon a conviction of His justice and
benevolence. The inhabitants of heaven and of other worlds,
being unprepared to comprehend the nature or consequences
of sin, could not then have seen the justice and mercy of God
in the destruction of Satan. Had he been immediately blotted
from existence, they would have served God from fear rather
than from love. The influence of the deceiver would not have
been fully destroyed, nor would the spirit of rebellion have
been utterly eradicated. Evil must be permitted to come to
maturity. For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless
ages Satan must more fully develop his principles, that his
charges against the divine government might be seen in their
true light by all created beings, that the justice and mercy
of God and the immutability of His law might forever be placed
beyond all question."—The
Great Controversy,
pp. 498, 499.
THINK IT THROUGH
How does the thought that "the just shall live by faith"
(Heb. 10:38) relate to the way in which God faces rebellion?
"Faith is trusting God—believing that He loves us and knows
best what is for our
good."—Education,
p. 253.
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 63-65.
39
Part 6
GOD FACES
REBELLION
a
1
1
1
.
aecuonem
LESSON 5
January 25-31
Where God's law is in effect there is order and stability.
Without this divine law, chaos is inevitable.
"For this is the love of God, that
we keep his commandments: and
his commandments are not griev-
ous" (1 John 5:3).
In last week's study on the prin-
ciples of rebellion, as seen in the
great controversy between Lucifer
and the Deity, we noticed the op-
position to the law of God, the ex-
pression of His will. The endeavor
to assert the independence of the
creature's will over that of the Crea-
tor's makes the law of God very cen-
tral in the controversy. Hence, it is
important to understand the nature
and purpose of law in the universe.
"Law is emblematic of security,
stability, faithfulness, uniformity,
equality. Absence of law means
chaos, with its attendant evils. The
world is built on law;'the universe
is obedient to it. Infraction of uni-
versal law would mean annihilation
of the creation of God. Every part of
creation is related to every other
part, and what happens in one place
reverberates to the ends of the uni-
verse. This makes universal law nec-
essary. One law must control crea-
tion everywhere. Two conflicting
laws would bring disaster."—M.
L.
Andreasen,
The Sanctuary Service,
2d ed. (Washington, DC: Review
and Herald Publishing Assoc., 1947),
p. 257.
Just as conflicting laws in the nat-
ural world would bring physical
disaster, so conflicting laws in the
moral world would bring moral
anarchy. Today two wills are in con-
flict—the will of God and the con-
trary will of those creatures who
have chosen to throw off the divine
government. The universe of intel-
ligent beings is watching this contest
(begun in the courts of heaven) as it
is being waged throughout the cen-
turies of human history.
It is essential for us as Christians
to have a clear understanding of this
important issue. This week we shall
study about divine law and the prin-
ciples of righteousness both physical
and moral, but with particular em-
phasis upon the latter. We wish to
examine the principles upon which
divine law rests, its qualities, and its
necessity for human happiness.
"Those who profess to cling to
Christ, centering their hopes on
Him, while they pour contempt
upon the moral law, and the proph-
ecies, are in no safer position than
were the unbelieving Jews. They
cannot understandingly call sinners
to repentance, for they are unable
to properly explain what they are to
repent of. The sinner, upon being
exhorted to forsake his sins, has a
right to ask, What is sin? Those who
respect the law of God can answer,
Sin is the transgression of the law.
In confirmation of this the apostle
Paul says, I had not known sin but
by the law.
"Those only who acknowledge
the binding claim of the moral law
can explain the nature of the atone-
ment."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 1,
p. 229.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Laws of Nature (Ps. 119:
90, 91)
2.
God's Will as Law (Matt. 6:10)
3.
Basic Relationships (Matt. 22:
37-40)
4.
Man Learns His Duty (Ps. 119:73)
5.
A Perfect Law (Ps. 119:96)
6.
Obedience: Secret of Happiness
(Isa. 48:18)
Principles of
Righteousness
LESSON 5
❑
Sunday
January 25
Part 1
Under what governing authority does the natural world
THE LAWS. function?
OF NATURE
"Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hest estab-
lished the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day ac-
cording to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants" (Ps.
119:90, 91).
The outreaches of the natural sciences continue to demon-
strate that our universe operates under marvelous physical
laws. There could be no true study of science if the universe
were not orderly. Since God's physical laws have a certain
regularity about them, they are used by the psalmist to illus-
trate the divine faithfulness.
Plants yield seed and fruit in harmony with fixed laws deter-
mined by the Creator (Gen. 1:11). Sun, moon, and stars move
in precise orbits according to the arrangement and design of
the divine will (Gen. 1:14-18). The amazing feat of landing man
on the moon would not have been possible without a knowl-
edge of and a cooperation with the physical laws that govern
the universe.
"Everything in nature, from the mote in the sunbeam to the
worlds on high, is under law. And upon obedience to these laws
the order and harmony of the natural world
depend."—Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing,
p. 48.
Physical laws as they function in nature are really descrip-
tions of whose operation? Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17.
"Nature in her work testifies of the intelligent presence and
active agency of a being who moves in all His works according
to His will. It is not by an original power inherent in nature that
year by year the earth yields its bounties and continues its
march around the sun. The hand of infinite power is perpetually
at work guiding this planet. It is God's power momentarily
exercised that keeps it in position in its rotation."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 260.
What lessons may the operations of divine power through
physical laws in an orderly universe teach us about God?
Isa. 40:26-29; Psalm 19.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it wise always to live in harmony with the laws of
nature?
"As the Supreme Ruler of the universe, God has ordained
laws for the government not only of all living beings, but of all
the operations of nature. Everything, whether great or small,
animate or inanimate, is under fixed laws which cannot be
disregarded. There are no exceptions to this rule; for nothing
that the divine hand has made has been forgotten by the divine
mind."—Selected Messages,
bk. 1, p. 216.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies,
vol. 8, pp. 259-261.
42
Principles of
Righteousness
LESSON 5
❑
Monday
January 26
Part 2
"Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10).
GOD'S WILL
God is the moral Governor of the universe. His will is the
AS LAW
basis of moral law under which all the intelligent beings of His
creation live.
"While everything in nature is governed by natural law, man
alone, as an intelligent being, capable of understanding its
requirements, is amenable to moral law. To man alone, the
crowning work of His creation, God has given a conscience to
realize the sacred claims of the divine law, and a heart capable
of loving it as holy, just, and good; and of man prompt and
perfect obedience is required. Yet God does not compel him
to obey; he is left a free moral agent."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 1, p. 216.
The phrase "man alone" means that as far as
this earth
is
concerned, man is the only creature on earth amenable to
moral law. Intelligent beings elsewhere in the universe are
also amenable.
How do loyal angels regard the will of God as it is ex-
pressed to them in divine commands? Ps. 103:20.
"Everything in nature . . . is under law. . . . So there are
great principles of righteousness to control the life of all in-
telligent beings, and upon conformity to these principles the
well-being of the universe depends. Before this earth was
called into being, God's law existed. Angels are governed by
its principles, and in order for earth to be in harmony with
heaven, man also must obey the divine statutes."—Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing,
p. 48.
Since moral law is grounded in the will and character of
God, how permanent would it be? Ps. 90:2; Mal. 3:6.
"The moral law was never a type or a shadow. It existed
before man's creation, and will endure as long as God's throne
remains. God could not change or alter one precept of His
law in order to save man: for the law is the foundation of His
government. It is unchangeable, unalterable, infinite, and eter-
nal."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol.
6, p. 1097.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why are divine laws sometimes compared to a "path"?
See Ps. 119:35. What is the significance of the figure?
"Many are the temptations and besetments on every side
to ruin the prospects of young men, both for this world and
the next. But the only path of safety is for young and old to
live in strict conformity to the principles of physical and moral
law. The path of obedience is the only path that leads to
heaven."—Temperance,
p. 60.
FURTHER STUDY
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
"The Spirituality of
the Law," pp. 45-51.
43
Principles of
Righteousness
LESSON 5
❑
Tuesday
January 27
Part 3
According to Jesus, upon what two principles does the
BASIC
Old Testament—"the law and the prophets"—rest?
RELATIONSHIPS
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment. And the second is
like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On
these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets"
(Matt. 22:37-40).
Old Testament instruction is in reality an exposition and an
application of the moral law, and we have in Jesus' statement
the essential principles of that law. It is this great law of love
which is the foundation of the divine government.
"Before the entrance of evil there was peace and joy
throughout the universe. All was in perfect harmony with the
Creator's will. Love for God was supreme, love for one another
impartial."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 493.
"The law given upon Sinai was the enunciation of the prin-
ciple of love, a revelation to earth of the law of heaven."—
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
p. 46.
How were our first parents created? With what kind of
attitudes and character? Gen. 1:26, 27; 1 John 4:16.
In view of the principles expressed by Paul in Romans
13:8-10, what should have been Adam's natural response to
any of God's commands? Would this also be true of other holy
intelligences in the universe?
"In heaven, service is not rendered in the spirit of legality.
When Satan rebelled against the law of Jehovah, the thought
that there was a law came to the angels almost as an awaken-
ing to something unthought of. . . . Obedience is to them no
drudgery. Love for God makes their service a
joy."—Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing,
p. 109.
THINK IT THROUGH
What was natural for holy angel and sinless man is un-
natural for me. How may I attain to their willing obedience?
"No man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love
for his brother. But we can never come into possession of this
spirit by
trying
to love others. What is needed is the love of
Christ in the heart. When self is merged in Christ, love springs
forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character
is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs
constantly from within—when the sunshine of heaven fills the
heart and is revealed in the countenance."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
p. 384.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Like Unto Leaven," pp. 97, 98.
44
Principles of Righteousness
LESSON 5
❑
Wednesday
January
28
What does the psalmist ask the Creator to do for him?
"Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me
understanding, that I may learn thy commandments" (Ps.
119:73.)
What was true of the converted psalmist would have also
been true of perfect man before the Fall, and is true of penitent
man after the Fall. Those who truly love God desire to know
His will. They delight to obey.
"The law of God existed before man was created. The angels
were governed by it. Satan fell because he transgressed the
principles of God's government. After Adam and Eve were
created, God made known to them his law. It was not then
written, but was rehearsed to them by
Jehovah."—Spiritual
Gifts,
vol. 3, p. 295.
"These two great principles [of the law] embrace the first
four commandments, showing the duty of man to God, and the
last six, showing the duty of man to his fellowman. The prin-
ciples were more explicitly stated to man after the fall, and
worded to meet the case of fallen intelligences. This was nec-
essary in consequence of the minds of men being blinded by
transgression."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Com-
mentary, vol.
1, p. 1104.
What Biblical evidence is there for inferring that Adam's
descendants knew the ten precepts of the Decalogue before
the giving of the law at Sinai? First table: Gen. 35:1-4; 2:1-3
;
Second table: Gen. 4:8-11; 6:5, 11; 9:22, 23; 12:11-19; 27:11-
13, 35, 36; 31:30, 32; 39:7-9.
The book of Genesis briefly sketches the first 2500 years of
human history, so we cannot expect too much detail. However,
these passages, and others which could be cited, give clear
evidence that mankind had a sense of right and wrong as de-
fined by the Decalogue. Since the Bible indicates that the law
was not
written
down until Sinai, we infer that the Lord gave
it orally to Adam, who in turn transmitted it to his progeny.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why does obedience to God's moral law of the Ten Com-
mandments promote physical health?
"The love of Jesus in the soul will banish all hatred, selfish-
ness, and envy; for the law of the Lord is perfect, converting
the soul. There is health in obedience to God's law. The affec-
tions of the obedient are drawn out after God. Looking unto
the Lord Jesus, we may encourage and serve one another. The
love of Christ is shed abroad in our souls, and there is no dis-
sension and strife among us."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA
Bible Commentary, vol.
1, p. 1105.
FURTHER STUDY
Selected Messages,
bk. 1, pp. 220, 229, 230.
45
Part 4
MAN LEARNS
HIS DUTY
Principles of Righteousness
LESSON 5
❑
Thursday
January
29
Part 5
"I see that all things come to an end,
A PERFECT LAW
but thy commandment has no limit" (Ps. 119:96, NEB).
The moral law of the Ten Commandments is no mere check-
list of rules. Its precepts reflect the character of its Author;
its spiritual nature reaches into the intents and motives of the
heart.
Examine the following passages and compare the attributes
of God's character with the descriptions of the law.
God
Moral Law
a.
1 Peter 1:16
a. Rom. 7:12
b.
Rev. 15:3
b. Rom. 7:12; 1 John 5:3
c.
Ps. 25:8
c. Rom. 7:12
d.
Ps. 11:7
d. Ps. 119:172
e.
1 John 4:8
e. Matt. 22:36-40; Rom. 13:8-10
f.
Matt. 5:48
f. Ps. 19:7
g.
Ps. 90:2
g. Ps. 111:7, 8
How do the above passages show that it would be impos-
sible for God to abolish the Ten Commandments?
"The God of heaven has placed a benediction upon them
that keep the commandments of God. Shall we stand as a
peculiar people of God, or shall we trample upon the law of
God and say it is not binding? God might just as well have
abolished Himself. In the law every specification is the char-
acter of the infinite God."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA
Bible Commentary,
vol. 1, p. 1104.
"Our duty to obey this law is to be the burden of this last
message of mercy to the world. God's law is not a new thing.
It is not holiness created, but holiness made known. It is a code
of principles expressing mercy, goodness, and love. It presents
to fallen humanity the character of God, and states plainly the
whole duty of man."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible
Commentary, vol.
1, pp. 1104, 1105.
How do the Ten Commandments differ from human codes
of conduct? Rom. 7:12, 14; Matt. 5:27, 28.
"The law of God . . . reaches to the thoughts and feelings.
. . . If the law extended to the outward conduct only, men
would not be guilty in their wrong thoughts, desires, and de-
signs. But the law requires that the soul itself be pure and the
mind holy, that the thoughts and feelings may be in accordance
with the standard of love and righteousness.—Selected
Mes-
sages,
bk. 1, p. 211.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it that no true obedience can be rendered to God
without a genuine conversion?
FURTHER STUDY
Selected Messages,
bk. 1, pp. 216-220.
46
Principles of Righteousness
LESSON 5
❑
Friday
January 30
Part 6
OBEDIENCE:
SECRET OF
HAPPINESS
"0 that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then
had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the
waves of the sea" (Isa. 48:18).
In this passage what did God imply was the secret for
true and lasting happiness for the nation of Israel?
God intended Israel to illustrate the divine principles to the
populations of earth and heaven. Peace and happiness would
have followed upon their obedience. Just so, happiness would
have deepened in the sinless universe if Lucifer had not per-
sisted in his challenges.
Carried out in everyday life, the principle of impartial love
would lead to honor and respect for lawful authority—parental,
church, school, and state. It would lead one to do all those
things which would tend to promote the health, happiness, and
welfare of one's fellow beings.
If God were loved supremely, He alone would have first
place in the life. He would be worshiped in spirit and in truth.
All that was holy and sacred to God would be revered and
respected. The holy Sabbath would be as a golden clasp, bind-
ing the child of God to the heavenly Father. A vertical love re-
lationship with God would motivate such a horizontal love rela-
tionship with all other members of society that it would seem
that heaven had come to earth!
Such was the society of heaven before Lucifer's disaffection.
Such will be the society of the redeemed when the plan of sal-
vation is completed.
After an elusive quest for happiness, what did the wise
man conclude was best for man? Ecc. 12:13.
"Obedience to the law is essential, not only to our salvation,
but to our own happiness and the happiness of all with whom
we are connected. 'Great peace have they which love thy law:
and nothing shall offend them' (Ps.
119:165)."—Selected Mes-
sages,
bk. 1, pp. 218, 219.
THINK IT THROUGH
What fruits has disobedience to the Creator's will brought
to human society? My personal disobedience has brought
what results to me?
"Our world is a vast lazar house, a scene of misery that we
dare not allow even our thoughts to dwell upon. Did we realize
it as it is, the burden would be too terrible. Yet God feels it
all. In order to destroy sin and its results He gave His best
Beloved, and He has put it in our power, through co-operation
with Him, to bring this scene of misery to an
end."—Education,
p. 264.
FURTHER STUDY
Selected Messages,
bk. 1, pp. 221-225.
47
LESSON 6
February 1-7
•
.71
Arnr-
d
iii
carnal
eeause
eet
enmity
sub
for
d
G
can
be"
eed
ano
(Rom.
AWorld
Astray
against
God
ftT)
I w
the
not
neithe
"The carnal mind is enmity
against God: for it is not subject to
the law of God, neither indeed
can be" (Rom. 8:7).
With the expulsion of Lucifer and
his angels from heaven, the contro-
versy over the law and authority of
God was transferred to earth. The
fall of Adam and Eve was a signal
victory for Satan—exhibit A—in his
challenge that the law of God was
arbitrary and impossible to keep.
Depraved by sin, the human mind is
now self-centered as is Satan's. It
ever seeks to be independent of the
divine will.
And so the course of rebellion
continued to run and to widen in
the earth, Satan's beachhead on the
periphery of God's universe. The
issue remains the same. "From
Adam's day to the present time the
great controversy has been concern-
ing obedience to God's law."—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 73.
But if this earth is the devil's
beachhead, it has also become a
stage upon which is being enacted
the principles of both Creator and
rebel—the principle of love and the
principle of selfishness. The plan of
salvation and the participants in it
are displaying the character of God
and the results of obedience to His
law. The course of rebellion is dis-
closing the fruits of disobedience.
And the universe of intelligent be-
ings is watching it all.
"When Satan was thrust out of
heaven, he determined to make the
earth his kingdom. When he temp-
ted and overcame Adam and Eve,
he thought that he had gained pos-
session of this world; 'because,' said
he, 'they have chosen me as their
ruler.' He claimed that it was im-
possible that forgiveness should be
granted to the sinner, and therefore
the fallen race were his rightful sub-
jects, and the world was his. But God
gave His own dear Son—one equal
with Himself—to bear the penalty
of transgression, and thus He pro-
vided a way by which•they might
be restored to His favor, and brought
back to their Eden home. Christ
undertook to redeem man and to
rescue the world from the grasp of
Satan. The great controversy begun
in heaven was to be decided in the
very world, on the very same field,
that Satan claimed as his."—Patri-
archs and Prophets,
p. 69.
The results of throwing off the
yoke of the divine government are
rapidly seen in all their dark colors
in man's forgetfulness of God, his
arrogance, his inhumanity to his fel-
lows, and the depths of moral deg-
radation to which he descends in
just a few short centuries. With the
call of Abraham and the establish-
ment of Israel, God begins in an
organized manner to reveal the
goodness of the divine government.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Fall of Man (Rom. 5:12)
2.
Cain and Abel (1 John 3:12)
3.
Before the Flood (Rom. 1:21)
4.
The Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1, 2)
5.
Sodom (Rom. 1:28)
6.
Abraham and Israel (Gen. 12:1-3)
A World Astray
LESSON 6
❑
Sunday
February I
Part 1
How did humanity become involved in the angelic revolt?
FALL OF MAN
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world,
and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that
all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12).
"God placed man under law, as an indispensable condition
of his very existence. He was a subject of the divine govern-
ment, and there can be no government without law. . . With-
out freedom of choice, his obedience would not have been
voluntary, but forced. There could have been no development
of character. Such a course would have been contrary to God's
plan in dealing with the inhabitants of other worlds. It would
have been unworthy of man as an intelligent being, and would
have sustained Satan's charge of God's arbitrary
rule."—Pa-
triarchs and Prophets,
p. 49.
Analyze the temptation and Fall in Gen. 3:1-6. Eve took
three steps which Adam also eventually took. What was the
first step by which Satan (by means of the serpent) created
an atmosphere?
Having succeeded in planting in Eve's mind a doubt and
a distrust of God, Satan suspected that she would take two
further steps on her own. What were they?
"There was nothing poisonous in the fruit itself, and the sin
was not merely in yielding to appetite. It was
distrust
of God's
goodness,
disbelief
of His word, and
refection
of His authority,
that made our first parents transgressors, and that brought into
the world a knowledge of evil. It was this that opened the door
to every species of falsehood and
error."—Education,
p. 25.
The similarity between the fall of Eve (and later Adam) and
that of Lucifer should be noted. Eve came to cherish a
distrust
of God's character. Distrust led her to
disbelieve
the necessity
of His command. The next step was open
disobedience.
The
sequence was triggered by a suggested appeal to assert her
independence and become like God. Adam traversed the same
steps under Eve as his temptress.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why does God view so seriously what we regard as small
sins?
"Adam yielded to temptation and as we have the matter of
sin and its consequence laid so distinctly before us, we can
read from cause to effect and see the greatness of the act is
not that which constitutes sin; but the disobedience of God's
expressed will, which is a virtual denial of God, refusing the
laws of His government."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA
Bible Commentary,
vol. 1, p. 1083.
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 52-62.
50
A
World Astray
LESSON 6
❑
Monday
February 2
Part 2
Of whose spirit did Cain partake which prompted him to
CAIN AND ABEL
murder Abel?
"Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his
brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works
were evil, and his brother's righteous" (1 John 3:12).
"He
[Cain] permitted his mind to run in the same channel
that led to Satan's fall—indulging the desire for self-exaltation
and questioning the divine justice and authority."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
p. 71.
In the account of Cain and Abel we catch a glimpse of the
deadly serious controversy as it began to appear in the earth.
At times it is seen in a warfare against the "seed of the woman"
(God's followers) by the "seed" of the serpent (Satan's follow-
ers). The first fruit of the satanic principle of self was self-justifi-
cation (Gen. 3:9-13); the second was murder.
What was the experience which produced such anger in
Cain's mind against Abel? Gen. 4:2-5.
In the brief account we see two reactions to the law and
authority of God. Abel loved God supremely. Touched by the
divine compassion which had provided a plan, he offered the
prescribed typical sacrifice, trusting in the merits of the coming
Saviour (Heb. 11:4). His love for God led him to have a concern
for Cain. The older brother, however, showed his contempt for
the Creator by the kind of offering he brought. Thus without
the fear of God before his eyes, he was led in his anger at
Abel's loyalty to break the law's second principle and to murder
his own brother.
What was Cain's punishment? Gen. 4:11-15. What was the
divine purpose in sparing his life?
"In sparing the life of the first murderer, God presented
before the whole universe a lesson bearing upon the great
controversy. . . . Fifteen centuries after the sentence pro-
nounced upon Cain, the universe witnessed the fruition of his
influence and example, in the crime and pollution that flooded
the
earth."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 78.
THINK IT THROUGH
What influence do loyal, radiant Christians have on me?
Do they anger or humble me?
"There are many who have outgrown their advent faith. They
are living for the world, and while saying in their hearts, as they
desire it shall be, 'My Lord delayeth His coming,' they are
beating their fellow servants. They do this for the same reason
that Cain killed
Abel."—Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 77.
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 71-79.
51
4-A.Q. 1-76
A World Astray
LESSON 6
❑
Tuesday
February 3
Part 3
BEFORE THE
FLOOD
How did mankind in the antediluvian world attempt to
dispense with the claims of the first table of the law?
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him
not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their
imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened" (Rom.
1:21).
What was one of the prime factors in the deepening rebel-
lion against God in the earth? Gen. 6:1, 2.
"The children of Seth, attracted by the beauty of the daugh-
ters of Cain's descendants, displeased the Lord by intermarry-
ing with them.... Mingling with the depraved, they became like
them in spirit and in deeds; the restrictions of the seventh
commandment were disregarded, 'and they took them wives of
all which they chose.' . . . Sin spread abroad in the earth like
a deadly
leprosy."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 81, 82.
What was the result of displacing God from the center of
life in that age? Luke 17:26, 27; Gen. 6:5, 11.
"The holy inhabitants of other worlds were watching with
the deepest interest. . . . In the condition of the world that ex-
isted before the Flood they saw illustrated the results of the
administration which Lucifer had endeavored to establish in
heaven, in rejecting the authority of Christ and casting aside
the law of God. In those high-handed sinners of the antedilu-
vian world . . every emotion, every impulse and imagination,
was at war with the divine principles of purity and peace and
love. It was an example of the awful depravity resulting from
Satan's policy to remove from God's creatures the restraint of
His holy
law."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 78, 79.
What message and with what success did Noah offer those
sin-hardened generations? 2 Peter 2:5; Heb. 11:7.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is today's lawlessness, its physical and moral pollu-
tion, saying to me, and with what success? See Luke 17:26, 27.
"The spirit of anarchy is permeating all nations. . . . The
picture . . . of the antediluvian world represents . . . the con-
dition to which modern society is fast hastening.... There are
crimes daily perpetrated as black and terrible as those for
which the old-world sinners were destroyed."—Patriarchs
and
Prophets,
p. 102.
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 90-97.
52
A World Astray
LESSON 6
❑
Wednesday
February 4
As the descendants of Noah began to multiply, a group
of them migrated away from the others to establish them-
selves in what area?
"And the whole earth was of one language, and of one
speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east,
that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt
there" (Gen. 11:1, 2).
See also Dan. 1:1, 2.
"As their numbers increased, apostasy soon led to division.
Those who desired to forget their Creator and to cast off the
restraint of His law felt a constant annoyance from the teach-
ing and example of their God-fearing associates, and after a
time they decided to separate from the worshipers of God."
—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 118.
What instruction had God originally given Adam and had
repeated to Noah? Gen. 1:28; 9:1.
In opposition to the divine plan what did the people in
Shinar decide to do? What were they apparently attempting
to establish? Gen. 11:3, 4; 10:8-10.
The founding of the world's first kingdom at Babel appears
also to have been the first organized attempt to defy the author-
ity and government of God. While the records are brief, it is
clear that the decision to build the city and the tower was in
opposition to the divine command to scatter over the earth and
subdue it. The sin was not in building a city but in rejecting
the divine authority which had commanded dispersion for the
future good of all.
"This confederacy was born of rebellion against God. The
dwellers on the plain of Shinar established their kingdom for
self-exaltation, not for the glory of God. Had they succeeded,
a mighty power would have borne sway, banishing righteous-
ness and inaugurating a new religion. The world would have
been demoralized. . . . The law of Jehovah would have been
ignored and forgotten."—Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 213, 214.
As a Christian, what encouragement may I derive from the
Babel account? See Gen. 11:5-8.
"God bears long with the perversity of men, giving them am-
ple opportunity for repentance; but He marks all their devices
to resist the authority of His just and holy law. From time to
time the unseen hand that holds the scepter of government is
stretched out to restrain iniquity. Unmistakable evidence is
given that the Creator of the universe, ... is the Supreme Ruler
of heaven and earth, and that none can with impunity defy His
power."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 123.
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 117-124.
53
Part 4
THE TOWER
OF BABEL
THINK IT THROUGH
A World Astray
LESSON 6
❑
Thursday
February 5
Part 5
When men insist on following their own evil purposes,
SODOM
what does God permit?
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do
those things which are not convenient" (Rom. 1:28).
In asserting his independence of God the individual thinks
to gain a more exalted state of existence and vast freedom. But
the long history of sin has proved a fundamental truth: If man
will not worship what is above him, he will worship that which
is beneath him. Sodom is an exhibit of the depth of moral
degradation and pollution to which the human mind can de-
scend when self is made the center of existence.
What were some of the factors which led the inhabitants
of Sodom into a preoccupation with sexual perversion? Eze.
16:49, 50.
"The people openly defied God and His law and delighted
in deeds of
violence."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 157. Note
the violations of the divine principles. The people were proud,
haughty, self-centered, and independent of God. Abundantly
supplied with food, they did not need to engage in physically
tiring labor; this situation also provided them with much leisure.
They had no care for the less fortunate among them. Turned
inward upon themselves, they sought meaning in degrading
perversions of their physical powers.
Because God does not immediately punish men in their
rebellion and sins, how do they often react? Eccl. 8:11.
When Lot endeavored to warn his sons-in-law of the im-
pending doom of the vile city, "he seemed to his sons-in-law
to be jesting" (Gen. 19:14, RSV).
What warning did God intend the judgment and destruc-
tion of Sodom to give to succeeding generations of men?
Jude 7; 2 Peter 2:6.
THINK IT THROUGH
In what profitable ways am I using my leisure time?
"There is nothing more desired among men than riches and
leisure, and yet these gave birth to the sins that brought de-
struction upon the cities of the plain. Their useless, idle life
made them a prey to Satan's temptations, and they defaced the
image of God. . . . Idleness is the greatest curse that can fall
upon man, for vice and crime follow in its train. .. . Satan lies
in ambush. . . . He is never more successful than when he
comes to men in their idle
hours."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 156, 157.
FURTHER STUDY
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 166-170.
54
A World Astray
LESSON 6
❑
Friday
February 6
"Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy
country, and from thy kindred, . . . unto a land that I will
shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation . . . : and
in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Gen.
12:1-3).
"The Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow
their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem,
and made him the keeper of His law for future generations."
—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 125.
With the call of Abraham God initiated a new program from
the divine side of the controversy. He would organize Abra-
ham's descendants into a nation to whom He would entrust
a true knowledge of Himself, His law, and His plan of salva-
tion. As the nation lived in obedience to God, they would re-
veal to the earth and the universe the blessed fruits of supreme
love for God and impartial love for one's fellows. The nation
would be His agent to earth's inhabitants, and through it would
come the Redeemer of all mankind.
When the nation was organized at Sinai, what did God
say they would be? Ex. 19:5, 6.
To assist them in discharging their task, where did the
Lord strategically place Israel? Eze. 5:5.
With what did the Lord entrust the nation? Rom. 3:1, 2;
9:4, 5.
"God had separated them [Israel] from the world, that He
might commit to them a sacred trust. He had made them the
depositaries of His law, and He purposed, through them, to
preserve among men the knowledge of Himself. Thus the light
of heaven was to shine out to a world enshrouded in darkness."
—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 314.
As God's agent what would Israel offer to the world which
was following satanic principles? John 4:22. What did God
intend His temple in Israel to become? Isa. 56:6, 7.
Israel was to be a model of the divine rule; the other nations
would reflect the principles of Satan.
What kind of witness do I give of the divine rule in my
life which will attract others to God?
"Only through a living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour
is it possible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world.
If we would draw sinners out of the swift-running current, our
own feet must be firmly set upon the Rock, Christ Jesus."—
The Ministry of Healing, pp. 469, 470.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons, "The Lord's Vineyard,"
pp. 284-290.
55
Part 6
ABRAHAM
AND ISRAEL
THINK IT THROUGH
LESSON 7
February 8-14
Righteousness
Exalts a Nation
In
a world controlled by Satanic agencies, those who remain
true to God are protected by His love.
"It is an abomination to kings to
commit wickedness: for the throne is
established by righteousness" (Prov.
16:12).
"In history and prophecy the
Word of God portrays the long con-
tinued conflict between truth and
error. That conflict is yet in prog-
ress."—Selected
Messages,
bk. 2,
p. 109.
In the second millennium BC
(about 1950 BC) Abraham was born.
God chose him to be the father of
a nation that would preserve the
principles of His law and the truths
of the plan of salvation. In the same
millennium, about the nineteenth
century BC, Assyria first appears in
secular history. Assyria became one
of the great nations of antiquity
through whom Satan sought to work
out his principles and to control the
earth.
The period of Assyrian domi-
nance came in what might be
termed its empire period between
933 and 612 BC. The nation became
very strong, ruling at times over all
Mesopotamia and neighboring
areas, Syria, Palestine, parts of Ana-
tolia (Asia Minor), and, for a short
time, Egypt.
During the empire period the na-
tions of the Hebrews and Assyrians
came into close contact. The He-
brew people represented the Crea-
tor and were in possession of His
law defining man's duty to God and
to his fellows. Assyria eventually
came under the full control of Sa-
tan, violating the principles of both
tables of the law. Proud in its in-
dependence, the nation became a
bloody military machine whose wor-
ship of the god Ashur was fulfilled
in acts of war.
"The Assyrian monuments abun-
dantly depict how captives were
flayed, decapitated, impaled alive, or
hanged by hands and feet to die in
slow torture. These and other inhu-
man practices reveal the cruelty of
this nation. Their royal inscriptions
continually exult over the number
of enemies killed, captives carried
off, cities razed and plundered, lands
wasted, and fruit trees destroyed."
—SDA Bible Commentary,
on Na-
hum 3:1.
Assyria reflected the working out
of satanic principles. Again the uni-
verse, as well as man, could see the
fruits of throwing off the restraints
of divine law and trampling upon
the principles upon which that law
rested.
Through Jonah, God sought to
rescue the Ninevites from satanic
leading and to give them an oppor-
tunity to know the principles of righ-
teousness. He sought to prevent an
unfortunate alliance between the
two nations in the time of Isaiah, lest
His people be drawn away from the
truth. Finally, in justice God abased
this haughty power, utterly destroy-
ing it. The pride and fall of Assyria
are an object lesson to us in history.
This week we shall study some of the
admonitions or warnings to be
gained from Assyria's experience.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
God's Concern for Nations
(Jonah 1:1, 2)
2.
A Preacher Provided (Jonah
3:1, 2)
3.
Human Alliances Unwise
(Isa. 8:10)
4.
Nations Under God's Control
(Deut. 28:1)
5.
A God In Israel (2 Chron. 32:7, 8)
6.
Pride and Overthrow (Prov. 16:
18; Luke 14:11)
Righteousness Exalts a Nation
LESSON 7
❑
Sunday
February 8
Part 1
GOD'S CONCERN
FOR NATIONS
Why was Jonah, a prophet of Israel, sent on a mission to
Nineveh?
"Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of
Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and
cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me"
(Jonah 1:1, 2).
Nineveh, one of the great cities of antiquity and sometime
capital of the Assyrian kingdom, was built by Nimrod after the
dispersion from Babel (Gen. 10:8-11, RSV; see
SDA Bible Com-
mentary).
The walls, still discernible, indicate a perimeter of
about seven and one-half miles, enclosing 1640 acres. Since
no city in Palestine exceeded 20 acres, except Jerusalem (86
acres), the Assyrian capital appeared as "an exceeding great
city."
In what spiritual condition was this pagan city? Jonah 1:2;
3:8; 4:11.
"In the time of its temporal prosperity Nineveh was a center
of crime and wickedness....
"Yet Nineveh, wicked though it had become, was not wholly
given over to evil. . . . [God] perceived in that city many who
were reaching out after something better and higher, and who,
if granted opportunity to learn of the living God, would put
away their evil deeds and worship
Him."—Prophets and Kings,
pp. 265, 266.
The situation that was fast obtaining in Nineveh was similar
to that of the antediluvian world. The satanic principle of selfish-
ness ruled, with the natural result of the violation of the second
table of the law. But the principles of righteousness were not
wholly effaced, and a representative from God's organized
people was sent to warn them of coming judgment. The intent
was to awaken the people to their deep spiritual need.
In another age how did Paul also appeal to the still ex-
isting moral sense of pagans? Acts 17:30, 31; 24:25.
THINK IT THROUGH
What can I do to reach my neighbors with Christ's last
message in the place where I live?
"God's messengers in the great cities are not to become
discouraged over the wickedness, the injustice, the depravity,
which they are called upon to face while endeavoring to pro-
claim the glad tidings of salvation. . . . In every city, filled
though it may be with violence and crime, there are many who
with proper teaching may learn to become followers of Jesus.
Thousands may thus be reached with saving truth and be led
to receive Christ as a personal Saviour."—Prophets
and Kings,
page 277.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pages 274-278.
58
Righteousness Exalts a Nation
LESSON 7
❑
Monday
February
9
How many times did God request Jonah to go with His
message to Nineveh? Why do you suppose the prophet was
so reluctant?
"And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second
time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and
preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee" (Jonah 3:1, 2).
"As
the prophet thought of the difficulties and seeming im-
possibilities of this commission, he was tempted to question
the wisdom of the call. From a human viewpoint it seemed as
if nothing could be gained by proclaiming such a message in
that proud city. He forgot for the moment that the God whom
he served was all-wise and all-powerful. While he hesitated,
still doubting, Satan overwhelmed him with discouragement."
—Prophets and Kings,
p. 266.
As the Spirit of God convicted the consciences of the peo-
ple under Jonah's preaching, what amazing thing took place?
Jonah 3:5-9; Matt. 12:41.
What was the Creator's response to the repentance of the
Assyrians? Jonah 3:10.
"Their doom was averted, the God of Israel was exalted and
honored throughout the heathen world, and His law revered."
—Prophets and Kings,
p. 271.
The success of Jonah's preaching among that portion of the
human family whose knowledge of God had largely faded is
encouraging, for the task is still before the church to witness
to similar cultures in our times.
Unfortunately, how did Jonah, in the face of heaven's
success, fail to represent God's character? Jonah 41-11.
"He
should have been the first to rejoice because of God's
amazing grace; but instead he allowed his mind to dwell upon
the possibility of his being regarded as a false prophet. Jealous
of his reputation, he lost sight of the infinitely greater value of
the souls of that wretched city."—Prophets
and Kings,
p. 271.
THINK IT THROUGH
Am I a modern Jonah, reluctant to share my faith? How
can I overcome this reserve?
Part 2
A PREACHER
PROVIDED
"As
witnesses for Christ, we are to tell what we know, what
we ourselves have seen and heard and felt. . . . We can tell
how we have tested His promise, and found the promise true.
We can bear witness to what we have known of the grace of
Christ. This is the witness for which our Lord calls, and for
want of which the world is perishing."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 340.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 265-273.
59
Righteousness Exalts a Nation
LESSON 7
❑
Tuesday
February 10
"Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught: speak
the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us" (Isa. 8:10).
The story of Jonah and his relations with Nineveh indicates
that God is concerned for the safety and salvation of heathen
nations. But this does not mean that God's chosen people were
to feel free to turn to those nations for help in time of national
danger. God is the only true source of help when the enemy
threatens. See 2 Chron. 16:1-8.
In this part of the lesson we see how Ahaz, king of Judah
(about 734 BC) was threatened by two political powers to the
north of his kingdom, Syria and Israel (Isa. 7:1).
In his concern for national safety he thought of allying him-
self with Assyria in order to avert danger. But God sent a mes-
sage to him through Isaiah (Isa. 7:3-7). Ahaz was not to worry
about human threats, because God had everything in control.
To assure Ahaz that God would protect Judah, what did
God offer to do? With what response? Isa. 7:10-12.
Rather than trust in the omnipotent God, what political
alliance did Ahaz form to solve his problem? 2 Kings 16:7-9.
Ahaz made a serious mistake in allying two governments
built on diametrically opposing principles. Judah was grounded
in God's law which made God central in the life, resulting in
impartial love to man. Self was god in Assyria, and cruelty to
man was commonplace.
What important counsel did the prophet give Ahaz and his
people who wished to rely on Assyria? Isa. 8:12, 13.
Ahaz came under the rebuke of God because he chose to
trust in a heathen power for help rather than in the Lord, the
true Ruler. This double allegiance was designated by God as
spiritual adultery. See Eze. 16:14, 15, 17. Isaiah appealed for
freedom from any compromising entanglements.
THINK IT THROUGH
Do I have any connections with unbelievers which tend
to draw me away from Christ? See 2 Cor. 6:14-18. Should I
cut all relationships with those not of my faith? John 17:15
helps to clarify this question.
"Let the watchmen on the walls of Zion not join with . . .
the confederacy of infidelity, popery, and Protestantism in ex-
alting tradition above Scripture, reason above revelation, and
human talent above the divine influence and the vital power of
godliness."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commen-
tary,
vol. 4, pp. 1141, 1142.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 322-330.
60
Part 3
HUMAN
ALLIANCES
UNWISE
Righteousness Exalts a Nation
LESSON 7
❑
Wednesday
February 11
What spiritual factor was important to Israel's civil suc-
cess?
"If you obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful
to do all his commandments which I command you this day,
the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of
the earth" (Deut. 28:1, RSV).
Governments have been ordained by God for the happiness
of human life. See Rom. 13:1. Governments rule in the sphere of
the second table of the law to provide orderly social life. Gov-
ernments may not know of the Creator, but they are respon-
sible nevertheless for the just care of their peoples and fair
dealings with other nations. Violation of the principle under-
girding the second table of the law by any government is sow-
ing the seeds of its own destruction. This is the lesson of his-
tory.
"To understand these things,—to understand that righteous-
ness exalteth a nation' . . . ,—this is to understand the philos-
ophy of history....
"In the word of God only is this clearly set forth. Here is
shown that the strength of nations, as of individuals, is not
found in the opportunities or facilities that appear to make
them invincible; it is not found in their boasted greatness. It is
measured by the fidelity with which they fulfill God's purpose."
—Prophets and Kings,
p. 502.
Because Ahaz and the nation failed to trust God, what did
God permit the "ally" to do? Isa. 8:7, 8.
Although God overruled the invasions of Assyria to dis-
cipline sinful Judah, what really motivated the Assyrians?
Isa. 10:5-14.
The Assyrians developed an efficient army, including siege
machines and cavalry. They were cruel to the conquered, at
times decapitating, piling their heads at the gates of the ruined
city, or impaling the victims on stakes. Spared captives were
stripped naked at times to be led away. Entire populations were
often transplanted. The arrogant Assyrians reflected the spirit
of Satan. No government built on human slaughter can long
exist.
What are my aims in life? Is it sometimes necessary to
"tread on a few toes" to establish a principle?
"A well-nigh universal disregard of the law of Jehovah is
rapidly making the world like the cities of Sodom and Gomor-
rah. ... Iniquity and crime of every order are found in the high
places of the earth, and those who assent to these wrongs are
seeking to shield the guilty ones from punishment. . . .
"The Lord is permitting these men to expose one another
in their evil
deeds."—Testimonies to Ministers,
page 457.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 500-502.
61
Part 4
NATIONS
UNDER GOD'S
CONTROL
THINK IT THROUGH
Righteousness Exalts a Nation
LESSON 7
❑
Thursday
February 12
Part 5
Why did Hezekiah believe that Judah (loyal to God at
A GOD IN ISRAEL
this time) would not be subjugated by Assyria?
"Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed
for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with
him: for there be more with us than with him: with him is
an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us,
and to fight our battles" (2 Chron. 32:7, 8).
Approximately a hundred years earlier God had been gra-
cious to the Assyrian nation through the preaching of Jonah.
But Assyria had long since lost the fear of God and was now
attempting the conquest of Judah, the remnant of God's peo-
ple.
"The rulers of Assyria, instead of using their unusual bless-
ings for the benefit of mankind, became the scourge of many
lands. Merciless, with no thought of God or their fellow men,
they pursued the fixed policy of causing all nations to acknowl-
edge the supremacy of the gods of Nineveh, whom they exalted
above the Most High. God had sent Jonah to them with a
message of warning, and for a season they humbled them-
selves before the Lord of hosts and sought forgiveness. But
soon they turned again to idol worship and to the conquest of
the
world."—Prophets and Kings,
p. 363.
In his last invasion of Palestine what boastful message
did Sennacherib send to the Hebrew nation in an attempt to
frighten the people into surrender? Isa. 36:18-20.
Sennacherib was diverted with part of his force to meet an
Egyptian army advancing into Palestine from the south. Before
the other portion of his army besieged Jerusalem, he sent an-
other challenge in the form of a letter.
What was the substance of Hezekiah's prayer as he spread
this letter out before the Lord? Isa. 37:19, 20.
What was God's response through Isaiah and through His
angel messenger? Isa. 37:33-38.
"The God of the Hebrews had prevailed over the proud
Assyrian. The honor of Jehovah was vindicated in the eyes of
the surrounding nations."—Prophets
and Kings,
p. 361.
THINK IT THROUGH
How do I react when a crisis comes into my life?
"He [God] has often permitted matters with nations, with
families, and with individuals to come to a crisis, that His in-
terference might become marked. Then He has let the fact be
known that there is a God in Israel who would sustain and
vindicated His people."—Sons
and Daughters of God,
p. 353.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 349-361.
62
Righteousness Exalts a Nation
LESSON 7
❑
Friday
February 13
Part 6
PRIDE AND
OVERTHROW
THINK IT THROUGH
FURTHER STUDY
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit
before a fall" (Prov. 16:18).
"For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased" (Luke
14:11).
To what pinnacle of self-adulation had Nineveh and As-
syria reached a century and a half after Jonah? Zeph. 2:15.
In this proud boast, "I am, and there is none beside me,"
the Assyrians usurped the place of God and violated the first
table of the law. Satan was speaking again through this earthly
power.
The book of Nahum announces the day of judgment on
Nineveh and Assyria. What statement does God make three
times? What is the significance of the repetition? Nahum
1:2, 3.
God is jealous in the sense that He will not accept a divided
allegiance. Once Nineveh had repented and had turned to
Him. But in time the Assyrians went back to their idolatry, be-
coming merciless in their conquests of other peoples. The
blood of their inhuman slaughters called for justice.
How effective would be the final destruction of the As-
syrians and their capital? Nahum 1:8-10, 14.
So closely did Assyria assimilate the proud, self-centered
spirit of Satan that its judgment of total extinction is a type
of the final eradication of sin. Sin will never arise again, be-
cause "a tested and proved creation will never again be turned
from allegiance to Him whose character has been fully mani-
fested before them as fathomless love and infinite wisdom."
.
-
—The Great Controversy,
p. 504.
How does Nahum describe the battle of Nineveh? Nahum
2:1, 3, 4; 3:1-3.
In 612 BC the combined armies of Nabopolassar and Cyax-
ares, kings of Babylon and of the Medes respectively, attacked
Nineveh. In three months the city fell. Assyria's day of grace
was spent.
What would God have me to learn from Assyria about the
seriousness of probationary time?
"With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps account
with the nations. While His mercy is tendered, with calls to re-
pentance, this account remains open; but when the figures
reach a certain amount which God has fixed, the ministry of
His wrath begins. The account is closed. Divine patience
ceases. Mercy no longer pleads in their behalf."—Prophets
and Kings,
page 364.
Testimonies,
vol. 8,
pp.
104-106.
63
LESSON 8
February 15-21
The Rise and Fall
of Empires
"Remember the former things of
old: for I am God, and there is none
else; I am God, and there is none
like me, declaring the end from the
beginning, and from ancient times
the things that are not yet done,
saying, My counsel shall stand, and
I will do all my pleasure" (Isa.
46:9, 10).
The great moral controversy be-
tween God and Satan has become
involved in human existence, be-
cause Satan tries to dominate the
earth. Here the archrebel endeavors
to carry out the principles of his au-
thority through nations as well as
through individuals.
The nations, characterized in Bible
prophecy as wild beasts, do not rise
and fall simply because of their
prowess or lack of it. The Scriptures
make it evident that their existence,
and success or failure, is intimately
connected with the moral contro-
versy—with their adherence to or
their violation of the principles of
God's law.
From the narrow viewpoint of our
humanity it seems that human his-
tory could continue on forever as a
struggle for dominion between this
power or that, unless in a moment
of madness some nation should in-
stigate a nuclear war, blotting out
all human life.
God, however, has foretold in the
prophecies of Daniel the basic se-
quence of events to come. The as-
surance is also given of the ultimate
defeat of Satan and the full estab-
lishment of the victorious kingdom
of God on earth.
In the history presented in ad-
vance to the prophet we may also
trace the reason why those nations—
and others like them—declined and
fell, giving way to other govern-
ments. In the episodes of the book
of Daniel we shall see this week how
Babylon and her kings related to the
God of heaven and His law. The
story of Assyria is repeated. Some-
times there is submission; but even-
tual rejection of the divine princi-
ples of righteousness brought disso-
lution.
"Read the book of Daniel. Call up,
point by point, the history of the
kingdoms there represented. Behold
statesmen, councils, powerful arm-
ies, and see how God wrought to
abase the pride of men, and lay hu-
man glory in the dust. God alone is
represented as great. In the vision of
the prophet He is seen casting down
one mighty ruler, and setting up an-
other. He is revealed as the monarch
of the universe, about to set up His
everlasting kingdom
,
---the Ancient of
days, the living God, the Source of
all wisdom, the Ruler of the present,
the Revealer of the future. Read, and
understand how poor, how frail,
how short-lived, how erring, how
guilty is man in lifting up his soul
unto van ity."—Ellen G. White Com-
ments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol.
4, p. 1166.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
A God in Heaven'(Dan. 2:28)
2.
Loyalty to God (Dan. 1:8)
3.
Obedience Vindicated (Dan.
3:14, 15)
4.
Rulers by Permission (Dan. 4:17)
5.
Results of Self-exaltation (Isa.
47:1, 7, 8)
6.
Consequences of Wrongdoing
(Dan. 5:23)
The Rise and Fall of Empires
LESSON 8
❑
Sunday
February 15
"But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and
maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in
the latter days" (Dan. 2:28).
As the Assyrian power vanished in the Near East near the
close of the seventh century BC, the neo-Babylonian Empire
arose under Nabopolassar and his son Nebuchadnezzar to fill
the political vacuum. It was during the reign of the latter that
God revealed to him through the prophet Daniel that there was
a God in heaven who was in control of the rise and fall of politi-
cal kingdoms until the end of human history when God himself
would establish His eternal kingdom.
What was the substance of Nebuchadnezzar's dream which
none could tell him except God's prophet? Dan. 2:31-35.
Give Daniel's brief but comprehensive interpretation of
the dream. With what kingdom did it begin? Dan. 2:36-45.
It has been generally accepted by Christians that the image
of Nebuchadnezzar's dream depicted the four world kingdoms
of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The division of
the Roman Empire, symbolized by the iron and clay and repre-
senting the nations of Western Europe, would be followed by
the destruction of all human kingdoms and the setting up of
the divine rule over the earth.
Thus in a sweeping prophetic portrayal we are informed of
the outcome of the great controversy between the principles
of righteousness and of evil—between God and Satan—as it
is being fought out in the political arena of human life.
How were these four powers, and the division of the
fourth, depicted to Daniel on a later occasion? Dan. 7:1-7,
15-18, 23, 24.
Daniel 2 presents a simple outline of succeeding powers.
But Daniel 7 portrays them as wild, rapacious beasts and dis-
closes the satanic endeavor to work through these kingdoms.
Haughty and despotic at times, they acted as though they were
not amenable to either God or man. At times God revealed His
principles of righteousness to their leaders by His representa-
tives with some success.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why are political powers not permanent? What is the spir-
itual dimension to human government?
Babylon, which "seemed so stable and enduring, . . . has
perished. . . . So perished the Medo-Persian kingdom, and the
kingdoms of Grecia and Rome. And so perishes all that has
not God for its foundation. Only that which is bound up with
His purpose, and expresses His character, can endure. His
principles are the only steadfast things our world knows."—
Prophets and Kings,
p. 548.
FURTHER STUDY
Fundamentals of Christian Education,
pp. 374, 375.
66
Part 1
A GOD IN
HEAVEN
The Rise and
Fall of Empires
LESSON 8
❑
Tuesday
February 17
Part 3
What satanic principle did Nebuchadnezzar display in his
OBEDIENCE
angry command to the three Hebrew young men?
VINDICATED
"Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, 0
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my
gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
. . . If ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into
the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God
that shall deliver you out of my hands?" (Dan. 3:14, 15).
"Force is the last resort of every false religion. At first it
tries attraction, as the king of Babylon tried the power of music
and outward show. If these attractions, invented by men in-
spired by Satan, failed to make men worship the image, the
hungry flames of the furnace were ready to consume them."
—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary, vol.
7,
p. 976.
What was the significance of the king's building an image
entirely of gold and commanding its worship? Dan. 3:1-6.
When Daniel revealed the king's forgotten dream and gave
its meaning, Nebuchadnezzar was amazed and openly acknowl-
edged "your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings" (Dan.
2:47). But his pride eventually reasserted itself. The dream
indicated that Babylon was only a head of gold—that it would
pass away. He would make an entire image of gold—like the
one he had seen in the dream—"symbolic throughout of Baby-
lon as an eternal, indestructible, all-powerful kingdom, which
should break in pieces all other kingdoms and stand forever."
—Prophets and Kings,
p. 504. This was a defiant act inspired
by Satan.
How was the true God signally honored before that vast
concourse of officials by the loyalty of the Hebrews? How
did the king personally spread the honor of the true God?
Dan. 3:19-29.
"The tidings of their wonderful deliverance were carried to
many countries by the representatives of the different nations
that had been invited by Nebuchadnezzar to the dedication.
Through the faithfulness of His children, God was glorified in
all the
earth."—Prophets and Kings,
p. 512.
THINK IT THROUGH
What would have been the effect on the king, his officials,
and the cause of truth if the three worthies had yielded to
the pressure of their peers?
"Never be ashamed of your colors; put them on, unfurl them
to the gaze of men and angels. Do not be controlled by false
modesty, by false prudence which suggests to you a course of
action contrary to this advice."—Messages
to Young People,
p. 28.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 503-513.
68
The Rise and Fall of Empires
LESSON 8
❑
Wednesday
February 18
While Satan "the prince of this world" (John 12:31) and
mighty men seem to govern earth's affairs, who truly rules,
working out His purposes?
"To the intent that the living may know that the most
High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whom-
soever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men" (Dan.
4:17).
The great moral controversy between God and Satan greatly
complicates for human understanding the affairs of this world.
Satan, prince of this world by usurpation, seeks to rule and
control the earth through various kingdoms and agencies. Be-
cause of the nature of the controversy, God, the rightful Ruler,
permits
Satan's operations, for thus the fruits of the satanic
principles are demonstrated. On the other hand God must
limit
Satan by His divine
intervention
lest Satan totally corrupt and
destroy the race. God also rules by
initiating
events to disclose
the principles of righteousness.
"God has revealed in His law the principles that underlie
all true prosperity both of nations and of individuals. 'This is
your wisdom and your understanding,' Moses declared to the
Israelites of the law of God. 'It is not a vain thing for you; be-
cause it is your life.' Deuteronomy 4:6; 32:47. The blessings
thus assured to Israel are, on the same conditions and in the
same degree, assured to every nation and every individual....
"The power exercised by every ruler on the earth is Heaven-
imparted; and upon his use of the power thus bestowed, his
success depends."—Education, p. 174.
How did God illustrate to Nebuchadnezzar the true pur-
pose of government and the secret of political success? Dan.
4:19-27. Note especially verse 21.
Ellen White, commenting on the philosophy of history, noted
that a nation's strength is related to its fulfillment of the purpose
of God. She observed that Nebuchadnezzar was symbolized by
a large tree, and that the purposes served by the tree repre-
sent "the character of a government that fulfills God's purpose
—a government that protects and upbuilds the nation."—Edu-
cation,
p. 175.
THINK IT THROUGH
What part did loyal witnessing have to do with the con-
version of the king, or was it due only to the acts of God?
"King Nebuchadnezzar, before whom Daniel so often hon-
ored the name of God, was finally thoroughly converted, and
learned to 'praise and extol and honour the King of heaven.' "
—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 4,
p. 1170.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 514-521.
69
Part 4
RULERS BY
PERMISSION
The Rise and
Fall of Empires
LESSON 8
❑
Thursday
February 19
Part 5
What satanic attribute eventually became the main char-
RESULTS OF
acteristic of the Babylonian Empire?
SELF-
"Come down, and sit in the dust, 0 virgin daughter of
EXALTATION
Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne. . . .
"Thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst
not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember
the latter end of it . . . thou . . . sayest in thine heart, I am,
and none else beside me" (Isa. 47:1, 7, 8).
In what way did this haughty pride involve the violation
of the first table of the law? Jer. 50:14, 24, 29, 38.
In what manner did this same despotic spirit violate the
principle undergirding the second table of the law? Isa.
14:4-6; Hab. 2:5, 12.
In these portrayals of Babylon we do not see "the glory of
the kingdoms" (Isa. 13:19), but we see the "lion"—proud, des-
potic, and cruel—reflecting the attributes of the devil who sim-
ilarly walks about "seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
"Instead of being a protector of men, Babylon became a
proud and cruel oppressor. The words of Inspiration picturing
the cruelty and greed of rulers in Israel reveal the secret of
Babylon's fall and of the fall of many another kingdom since
the world
began."—Education,
p. 176.
Although Satan largely controlled Babylon, what did God
seek to do for its rulers and peoples? Jer. 51:9.
Since Israel as a nation was in apostasy, God's acts in be-
half of Babylon had to be done through individuals. "Yet
through the very humiliations that Israel's departure from Him
had invited, God gave Babylon evidence of His supremacy, of
the holiness of His requirements, and of the sure results of
obedience. And this testimony He gave, as alone it could be
given, through those who were loyal to
Him."—Prophets and
Kings,
p. 480.
THINK IT THROUGH
What lessons may I learn from the pride and conceit of
the rulers of Babylon?
"God cannot connect with those who live to please them-
selves, to make themselves first. Those who do this will in the
end be last of all. The sin that is most nearly hopeless and
incurable is pride of opinion, self-conceit. This stands in the
way of all
growth."—Testimonies, vol.
7, pp. 199, 200.
"Every man who praises himself brushes the luster from his
best
efforts."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 607.
FURTHER STUDY
Education,
pp. 173, 238.
70
The Rise and
Fall of Empires
LESSON 8
❑
Friday
February
20
Part 6
What was Babylon's last impious act performed by Bel-
CONSEQUENCES
shazzar?
OF WRONG-
"But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and
DOING
they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and
thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have
drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver,
and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not,
nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath
is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified" (Dan.
5:23).
Whose vessels were used? Dan. 5:1-4.
"In that last
night of mad folly, Belshazzar and his lords had
filled up the measure of their guilt and the guilt of the Chaldean
kingdom. No longer could God's restraining hand ward off the
impending evil, Through manifold providences, God had sought
to teach them reverence for His law.... Because of the strange
perversity of the human heart, God had at last found it nec-
essary to pass the irrevocable sentence. Belshazzar was to fall,
and his kingdom was to pass into other
hands."—Prophets and
Kings,
p. 530.
What act of God suddenly threw the blasphemous revelry
into confusion? Dan. 5:5-9.
"Hushed was the boisterous mirth, while men and women,
seized with nameless terror, watched the hand slowly tracing
the mysterious characters. Before them passed, as in pano-
ramic view, the deeds of their evil lives; they seemed to be
arraigned before the judgment bar of the eternal
God."—Proph-
ets and Kings,
p. 524.
Before interpreting the strange words, what history did
Daniel recall to the king? What should he have learned from
this? Dan. 5:18-24.
What was the meaning of the strange words written on
the wall? Dan. 5:25-28.
THINK IT THROUGH
To what extent can divine counsel given to another be
applied to me?
"When the Lord singles out individual cases and specifies
their wrongs, others, who have not been shown in vision, fre-
quently take it for granted that they are right, or nearly so. If
one is reproved for a special wrong, brethren and sisters should
carefully examine themselves to see wherein they have failed
and wherein they have been guilty of the same sin. . . . In
rebuking the wrongs of one, He designs to correct the many."
—Testimonies,
vol. 2, p. 112.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 522-538.
71
LESSON 9
February 22-28
Gods
Tru People
Scattered throughout the earth, God's protected and
chosen
people are to bring light and hope to those
in darkness.
"For as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways, and my
thoughts than your thoughts"
(Isa. 55:9).
Of the four world kingdoms, prob-
ably that of Medo-Persia was the
most responsive to the will of God
in carrying out His plan. It was Cyrus
the Persian who was moved by the
ancient prophecies of Isaiah to per-
mit the Jewish exiles to return to
their homeland, and to furnish the
materials for the rebuilding of the
temple. Darius I and Artaxerxes I
likewise favored God's people with
special decrees that led to the resto-
ration of both the temple and state.
On the other hand Satan nearly
caused the death of Daniel through
the self-flattering decree of Darius
the Mede, and the proposed exter-
mination of the nation by the fickle
Ahasuerus (Xerxes).
The dispersion of the Jews caused
by the Assyrian captivity of the
northern kingdom (eighth century
BC) and the Babylonian captivity of
?he southern kingdom (sixth century
BC) continued in the Grecian pe-
riod, as Jews found it easy to move
to many parts of the Hellenized
world. It has been estimated that
the Jews residing within the Roman
Empire alone in the first century AD
numbered approximately 4.5 million
out of a total empire population of
55 million, a million Jews being in
Palestine. Thus, in God's overruling
providence, the Jews were scattered
throughout the empire.
Wherever Jews settled, syna-
gogues were established, ten males
being required to form a congrega-
tion. In the intertestamental years
the Hebrew Scriptures were trans-
lated into Greek. As this language
had become the main means of com-
munication throughout the then
known world, so this version came
to
-
be used among Greek-speaking
Jews in the empire.
Between 50 BC and AD 70 a great
influx of Gentiles crowded the syna-
gogues of the Jews. The old pagan
religions were losing their influence.
There was a deep yearning among
the people to know a better way of
life. That way seemed to be offered
in the Hebrew faith. Some Gentiles
became full proselytes of the faith,
but many thousands simply attended
the services and adopted the Jew-
ish religion in part. Multitudes of
non-Jews thereby came to be ac-
quainted with the Scriptures and
with the true God.
Thus in the intertestamental pe-
riod when the Grecian Empire (and
her divisions) and Rome controlled
the political sphere, God was over-
ruling to prepare the way,for Christ
and Christianity. Every synagogue
provided Christian missionaries
a pulpit for at least one presentation
of Christ! The Scriptures were known
to many Gentiles before the apos-
tles came preaching. The result was
that many of the Gentiles who at-
tended the synagogue responded to
the Christian mission with
.
alacrity.
A church was born within the em-
pire, overnight as it were;:and for
about thirty years was shielded
somewhat from Roman interference
by the legal umbrella of Judaism.
The darkness of the intertestamental
period was preparation time for a
new dawn.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
God Protects (Dan. 2:32, 39; 7:5)
2.
God Provides (Ezra 4:4, 5)
3.
God Overrules (Esther 4:14)
4.
Decrees and Prophets (Ezra 6:14)
5.
Preparation for the First Advent
(Dan. 2:39; 7:6)
6.
Rome and God's People (Dan.
2:40; 7:7)
God's True People
LESSON 9
❑
Sunday
February 22
Part 1
"This image's . . . breast and his arms [were] of silver.
GOD PROTECTS
. . . Another kingdom inferior to thee" (Dan. 2:32, 39).
"And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and
it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the
mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto
it, Arise, devour much flesh" (Dan. 7:5).
See also Dan. 8:3, 4, 20.
These are the prophetic descriptions of Medo-Persia, the
early dual nature of the monarchy being symbolized by the
manner of the bear's rising. The three ribs represent Lydia
(Asia Minor), Babylon, and Egypt—the three principal areas of
its conquests.
What plan which appealed to the pride of Darius the
Mede was devised by jealous underlings to destroy Daniel,
the leading president? Dan. 6:4-15. See Eph. 6:12.
"In the conspiracy thus formed, Satan had played an impor-
tant part. The prophet was high in command in the kingdom,
and evil angels feared that his influence would weaken their
control over its rulers. It was these satanic agencies who had
stirred the princes to envy and jealousy; it was they who had
inspired the plan for Daniel's destruction."—Prophets
and
Kings,
p. 540.
God overruled the satanic plot by such a marvelous deliver-
ance (Dan. 6:16-23), that not only was Darius constrained to
inform his entire dominion of the God of Daniel (6:25-27), but
Cyrus the Great, who shortly succeeded him, was impressed
to do just what Satan wished to prevent.
What predictions had God made about Cyrus about 150
years before his conquest of Babylon? Isa. 44:28; 45:1-5, 13.
"The deliverance of Daniel from the den of lions had been
used of God to create a favorable impression upon the mind of
Cyrus the
Great."—Prophets and Kings,
p. 557.
In response to these prophecies of Isaiah, what decree
did King Cyrus issue? Ezra 1:1-4.
In this incident we have a striking example of an earthly
kingdom openly and willingly responding to and cooperating
with the will of God. Without the intervention of God the cap-
tivity of Israel might have become the cemetery of God's plan
of salvation, but the participation of a Persian ruler forwarded it.
THINK IT THROUGH
What providential overrulings can you trace in your life?
"All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in
the world to come be made plain. . . . We shall know that in-
finite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying."
—The Adventist Home,
p. 542.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 539-548.
74
God's True People
LESSON 9
❑
Monday
February
23
Part 2
How did the Samaritans attempt to hinder the returning
GOD PROVIDES
Jews from building the temple as commanded by Cyrus?
"Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the
people of Judah, and troubled them in building, and hired
counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the
days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius
king of Persia" (Ezra 4:4, 5).
Cyrus issued his decree in the summer of 537 BC. After
organizing the return, the exiles under Zerubbabel probably
started homeward in the spring of 536 BC. In the fall they set
up the altar, kept the Feast of Tabernacles, and submitted their
orders for material to the proper Persian officials (Ezra 3:1-7).
The following year the temple cornerstone and the foundation
were laid (Ezra 3:8-13).
At this time the Samaritans requested permission to join
the Jews in building the temple, but they were refused (4:1-3).
They retaliated with continuous attempts to halt the work and
to hinder the Jews from establishing themselves. They hired
legal help to work at court to prevent the implementation of
the decree.
How did Daniel react to opposition to the restoration of the
nation and the temple? Dan. 10:2, 3.
After three weeks of earnest prayer by Daniel, Gabriel
appeared. What had he been doing? Dan. 10:12, 13.
Supernatural forces operate behind the scenes. "While Satan
was striving to influence the highest powers in the kingdom of
Medo-Persia to show disfavor to God's people, angels worked
in behalf of the exiles. . . . Through the prophet Daniel we are
given a glimpse of this mighty struggle between the forces of
good and the forces of evil. For three weeks Gabriel wrestled
with the powers of darkness, seeking to counteract the influ-
ences at work on the mind of Cyrus; and before the contest
closed, Christ Himself came to Gabriel's aid. . . . The victory
was finally
gained."—Prophets and Kings,
pp. 571, 572.
THINK IT THROUGH
Does the work of the Lord seem hindered in your area?
What can you do to get it moving again?
"Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. He who marshals
the stars in order in the heavens, whose word controls the
waves of the great deep, the same infinite Creator will work
in behalf of His people if they call upon Him in faith. He will
restrain the forces of darkness until the warning is given to
the world and all who will heed it are prepared for the conflict."
—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 453.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 560-572.
75
God's True People
LESSON 9
❑
Tuesday
February 24
Part 3
Through a series of strange events, who found herself in
GOD
a position of influence at a critical time for Israel?
OVERRULES
"For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and
deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but
you and your father's house will perish. And who knows
whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time
as this?" (Esther 4:14, RSV).
"Occasions of indulgence such as are pictured in the first
chapter of Esther, do not glorify God. But the Lord accom-
plishes His will through men who are nevertheless misleading
others....
"Through the experience that brought Esther to the Medo-
Persian throne, God was working for the accomplishment of
His purposes for His people. That which was done under the
influence of much wine worked out for good to Israel."—Ellen
G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 3, p. 1139.
Mordecai's ancestors were part of the 10,000 captives Nebu-
chadnezzar took into captivity in 597 BC along with their king,
Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) (see Esther 2:6). He, and many other
dispersed Jews, did not return to Palestine but continued to
live in Mesopotamia.
Ahasuerus (known in secular history as Xerxes; 486-465 BC)
ruled a far-flung empire, some 3000 miles from east to west
(Esther 1:1). Esther apparently entered the Persian court soon
after his return from his defeat at the hands of the Greeks
(Salamis, 480 BC).
What plot did Haman, a high official in the court, persuade
Ahasuerus to decree? Why? Esther 3:5, 6, 8-11, 13.
Haman simply reflected the thoughts and intents of another.
"Satan himself, the hidden instigator of the scheme, was trying
to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the
true
God."—Prophets and Kings,
p. 601.
In the great controversy between good and evil God is
never caught by surprise. How was Israel spared destruction?
Esther 7: 1-6, 10; 8:4-8.
THINK IT THROUGH
What lessons may modern Sabbath keepers derive from
the capricious cruelty of the Persian king?
"The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant
people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus
against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see
in the little company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a
Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of God's people for His
law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear
of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath."—Prophets
and
Kings,
p. 605.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 598-606.
76
God's True People
LESSON 9
❑
Wednesday
February
25
Part 4
DECREES AND
PROPHETS
What three Persian rulers made and implemented decrees
which eventually restored the Jewish state?
"And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered
through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zecha-
riah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, ac-
cording to the commandment of the God of Israel, and accord-
ing to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes
king of Persia" (Ezra 6:14).
Although neither Cyrus nor his son Cambyses counter-
manded the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, the anti-
temple policy of the False Smerdis resulted in halting the
work. In the latter part of August, 520 BC, approximately 16
years after the decree of Cyrus, Haggai the prophet was in-
spired to encourage the leaders and people to arise and com-
plete the temple. Two months later Zechariah also gave mes-
sages to encourage the people.
When Tatnai, governor of the region, inquired of Darius I
if the Jews had a right to build as they claimed, what further
decree did this monarch make? Ezra 6:6-13.
With this implementation in 519 BC the Jews speedily fin-
ished the temple, dedicating it in 515 BC (Ezra 6:15).
Under the reign of Artaxerxes I what final political rights
did the nation receive? Ezra 7:13, 14, 24-26.
From his title it would appear that Ezra was an official in
charge of Jewish affairs in the imperial court. He was com-
missioned to take back to Palestine all Jews who wished to
go, and to reorganize the nation's judicial system along the
lines of the mosaic code with full authority over life and death.
Thus the Jewish state (under Persian sovereignty) was fully
restored. The decree of Artaxerxes was made in 457 BC, be-
coming operative in the early fall of that same year. This im-
portant date became the starting point of Daniel's time prophecy
of the first advent of the Messiah (Dan. 9:25).
In 444 BC, 13 years later, whoni did Artaxerxes send as
governor of Judah to rebuild Jerusalem? Neh. 2:1-8.
THINK IT THROUGH
"We must in our work not only strike the iron when it is hot
but make the iron hot by striking. Slow, easy, indolent move-
ments will do nothing for us in this work. We must be instant
in season, out of season. These are critical times for work. By
hesitation and delay we lose many good opportunities."—Evan-
gelism, p. 647.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp. 607-614.
77
God's True People
LESSON 9
❑
Thursday
February 26
Part 5
What world empire succeeded the power of Medo-Persia?
PREPARATION
"Another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule
FOR
THE over all the earth" (Dan. 2:39).
FIRST ADVENT
"After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which
had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had
also four heads; and dominion was given to it" (Dan. 7:6).
How was it described in another vision? What did the
"great horn" and the "four notable ones" represent? Dan.
8:5-8, 21, 22.
At this point in the prophecies of Daniel we enter into the
silent span of the intertestamental period. There are no inspired
writers, and so we are not given any insight into the contro-
versy between God and Satan at this time. Malachi, the last of
the Old Testament prophets (about 425 BC), presents a dis-
couraging picture of a sin-blinded, complacent Israel who re-
fuses correction.
Daniel 2, 7, and 8 predict the rise of Grecia. The latter proph-
ecy names the empire and refers to its first king, Alexander
the Great, and the subsequent divisions of his conquests.
"The conquest of the ancient East by Alexander the Great
(331 B.C.) was followed by a more permanent cultural invasion
by Greek language, customs, ideas, and religion. Eventually,
attempts by Antiochus Epiphanes to Hellenize the Jews, that
is, to compel them to adopt Greek culture, provoked the most
determined resistance. . . . Led by Judas Maccabaeus and
other members of his family, later known as Maccabees or
Hasmonaeans, the Jews heroically defeated the forces of An-
tiochus and secured their own freedom (164 B.C.). Among the
Jews, particularly those of the more wealthy and educated
classes and those residing beyond the borders of Palestine,
there was a gradual tendency to adopt Greek culture. Such
Jews were known as Hellenists and constituted the liberal ele-
ment of Jewish society. But most of those who lived in Judea
clung tenaciously to the customs and religion of their fore-
fathers."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
vol. 5, p. 51.
While Satan sought to corrupt the true faith through the
spreading of Greek culture, God was overruling. Greek became
the common language of the Mediterranean world, thus provid-
ing a widely understood tongue for the broad distribution of
the Scriptures and facilitating communication between diverse
peoples. Without violating man's will, God was preparing the
world for the spread of Christianity.
THINK IT THROUGH
How should I line up my life's energies, seeing that the
cause of God will ultimately triumph?
"The complicated play of human events is under divine con-
trol."—Prophets and Kings,
page 536.
FURTHER STUDY
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 5, pp. 17 ff.
78
God's True People
LESSON 9
❑
Friday
February
27
Part 6
What world kingdom succeeded the Grecian? What aspects
ROME AND
of this power are particularly noted?
GOD'S PEOPLE
"And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron: . . .
and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces
and bruise" (Dan. 2:40).
"And behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and
strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured
and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet
of it" (Dan. 7:7).
"Rome won her territory by the force or the fear of her
armed might. . . . Crushing one opponent after another, she
finally became the aggressive, irresistible conqueror of the Med-
iterranean world and Western Europe."—SDA
Bible Commen-
tary,
on Dan. 2:40.
Under the symbol of a little horn what land did Rome sub-
jugate? How was it treated? Dan. 8:9, 10, 24.
Palestine became a part of the Empire of Rome in 63 BC.
Some 12,000 Jews alone were slain in Pompey's capture of the
temple site. Later revolts cost the lives of others. Herod the
Great's reconquest of the Jews (40-37 BC) resulted in further
carnage. The land lay under the bloody hand of the wily Edo-
mite who did not scruple to destroy Bethlehem's infants if per-
chance he might destroy Jesus, an apparent rival.
According to Gabriel, when would the Messiah appear,
minister, and die? Dan. 9:25-27.
Applying the year-day principle, we find that the period of
sixty-nine weeks (483 days = years) from the fall of 457 BC
(Artaxerxes' decree restoring the Jewish state) extends to the
autumn of AD 27, when Jesus was baptized by water and the
Holy Spirit and began His official ministry as the Messiah.
After a ministry of three and one half years, Jesus was cruci-
fied by Roman authority in the spring of AD 31; but His dis-
ciples continued to preach to the Jews until AD 34, at which
time the gospel was also given to the Gentiles.
Satan's attempts, through Rome, to crush the true faith—
and the Messiah as well—were foiled. The iron legions which
broke all national resistance also brought political unity to the
empire from Britain to the Euphrates. The Jewish religion was
given legal status. Well-established roads and routes of travel,
together with the freedom and safety to move at all times, pro-
vided the climate for the rapid spread of Christianity in the
apostolic age.
THINK IT THROUGH .
Why is it that heavy oppression often forwards God's cause
instead of hindering it?
"The Lord is able to render futile every agency that works
for the defeat of His chosen ones."—Prophets
and Kings,
p.
487.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pp. 31-35.
79
"And the woman which thou
sawest is that great city, which
reigneth over the kings of the
LESSON 10
February 29 to March 6
The Voice o
f
False Aut grit
"Come hither; I will shew unto
thee the judgment of the great
whore that sitteth upon many wa-
ters: with whom the kings of the
the earth have committed fornica-
tion, and the inhabitants of the earth
have been made drunk with the
wine of her fornication" (Rev.
17:1, 2).
"And the woman which thou saw-
est is that great city, which reigneth
over the kings of the earth" (verse
18).
As we have seen in our previous
studies, the moral controversy be-
tween God and Satan has deeply in-
volved the universe of intelligent
beings. Satan has been permitted to
live and to develop the principle of
selfishness in all its forms, while the
plan of salvation was activated to
save man and to disclose the nature
of divine love.
Satan's operations have not only
involved individuals whose lives—
their thoughts and actions—have re-
vealed the sad results of sin, but they
have also involved whole nations.
We have looked at the lessons which
the histories of Assyria, Babylon,
Medo-Persia, and Rome have given
us.
One of the masterstrokes of Satan
has been his perversion of Christian-
ity. By means of the Christian apos-
tasy, which developed in the early
centuries of the Christian era, Satan
has succeeded in carrying on his
warfare on an even wider scale than
he did in antiquity. As the proph-
ecies indicated, the organized apos-
tasy pictured as a fallen woman has
had through the centuries many
deeply entangling relationships with
the political powers of the earth. Her
perspectives and viewpoints, both
political and religious—like the sym-
bolic wine—have often been ac-
cepted, and the national mind (as
well as that of the individual) has
been confused so that divine truth
has not been easily perceived.
In our study this week we shall
see that the prophecies have indi-
cated that Satan would continue
through a Christian organization to
foster the same issues which he
raised in heaven. Since the papacy
has often been considered by man-
kind to be the one important moral
force in the earth, Satan's actions
have been thereby rendered even
more deceptive and difficult to dis-
cern. Thus, under the guise of the
Christian faith, the controversy is
still being waged as another object
lesson to the watching universe.
Some Christians feel that to study
such prophecies is to attack an or-
ganization. God loves the people of
all nations and churches; and there
are people of all nations and
churches who honestly and sincerely
love and serve God. However, the
prophecies disclose the working of
Satan through a system of Christian
apostasy. It is essential for our spir-
itual safety to be able to distin-
guish between truth and error. We
must cling to truth. And we should
lovingly help those blinded by error
to see the truth as it is in Jesus.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
A False Claim (2 Thess. 2:3, 4)
2.
A False Sabbath (Dan. 7:25; 8:12)
3.
False Teaching (Dan. 7:25; Rev.
13:6)
4.
A False Role (2 Thess. 2:4)
5.
False Mediation (Dan. 8:11, 12;
Rev. 13:6)
6.
A False Spirit and Power (Dan.
7:21, 25; Rev. 13:7)
The Voice of a False Authority
LESSON 10
❑
Sunday
February
29
Part 1
According to Paul's prediction how did the "man of sin"
A FALSE
system come into existence?
CLAIM
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall
not come, except there come a falling away first, and that
man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth
and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God,
shewing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2:3, 4).
Satan first continued his controversy with God on a large
scale through pagan nations whom he sought to control. In the
Christian era he brought about a compromised form of the
Christian religion/through which he has influenced the lives
of millions.
From early times Christians have recognized that the "little
horn" (Daniel 7), "the man of sin" (2 Thessalonians 2), and the
leopardlike beast (Revelation 13) depict the same power.
"This compromise between paganism and Christianity re-
sulted in the development of 'the man of sin' foretold in proph-
ecy as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic
system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan's power—a
monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule
the earth according to his will."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 50.
What clues does Daniel provide to identify this power?
Dan. 7:8, 20, 21, 24, 25.
Note the following: (1) Location: It would rise in Western
Europe (among the ten horns). (2) Time: It would rise "after
them," that is, sometime subsequent to AD 476, the date as-
signed for Western Rome's final dissolution. (3) Its rise would
succeed the overthrow of three of the other horn powers. (4)
It would differ from the other horns in that it deals also with
religious matters. (5) It would be a blaspheming power speak-
ing "great words against the most High." (6) It would be a
persecuting power which would "wear out the saints of the
most High." (7) This power would hold supremacy for a sym-
bolic "time and times and the dividing of time," interpreted in
Revelation as 1260 symbolic days, that is, 1260 literal years
(Rev. 12:6, 14).
These identifying marks do not deal with personalities, but
point unerringly to the papal system, a church organization
which developed out of Christianity, and whose bishop was
legally recognized as the head of Christendom in the sixth
century.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why would Satan be more successful working through a
Christian organization than through pagan nations?
"The path of error often appears to lie close to the path of
truth."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 290.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 49-51.
82
The Voice of
a False Authority
LESSON 10
❑
Monday
March]
Part 2
"And he shall . . . think to change times and laws" (Dan.
A FALSE
7:25).
SABBATH
"And it cast down the truth to the ground; and it prac-
ticed, and prospered" (Dan. 8:12).
Daniel 7 covers the same ground as Daniel 2, but with
emphasis on the fourth beast and its little horn and the heav-
enly judgment scene. Daniel 8 covers essentially the same area
with its little horn representing
both the pagan and papal
-
phases
of Rome.
Satan in heaven challenged the law of God. Through the
Christian church how has he continued this attack?
"'The Pope is of so great authority and power that he can
modify, explain, or interpret even divine laws' . . . (translated
from Lucius Ferraris, 'Papa II,'
Prompta Bibliotheca,
Vol. VI,
pp. 25-29)."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Dan. 7:25 (p. 831).
The most important _change Rome has attempted to make in
the Ten Commandments has been that of promoting Sunday
sacredness in place of the seventh-day Sabbath.
Historical records indicate that "the church at Rome early
developed a preference for Sunday; and the increasing im-
portance attached to Sunday in the early church, at the ex-
pense of the Sabbath, closely parallels Rome's gradual rise to
power.... Roman influence prevailed to make the observance
of Sunday a matter of church law, as it did with many other
practices such as the worship of Mary, the veneration of saints
and angels, the use of images, and prayers for the dead."—
SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Dan. 7:25 (p. 833).
Why would Satan seek to make an attack upon the fourth
commandment? Ex. 20:8-11.
"The great apostate . . . had dared to change the only pre-
cept of the divine law that unmistakably points all mankind to
the true and living God. In the fourth commandment, God is
revealed as the Creator. . . . It was as a memorial of the work
of creation that the seventh day was sanctified as a rest day
for man. It was designed to keep the living God ever before
the minds of men as the source of being and the object of
reverence and worship. Satan strive§ to turn men from their
allegiance to God . . . ; therefore he directs his efforts espe-
cially against that commandment which points to God as the
Creator."—The
Great Controversy,
pp. 53, 54.
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the basic principle involved in the Sabbath-Sunday
issue?
Satan's "master stroke has been an attempt to change the
law itself, so as to lead men to violate its precepts while pro-
fessing to obey
it."—Prophets and Kings,
p. 178.
FURTHER STUDY
Prophets and Kings,
pp.
179-189.
83
The Voice of
a False Authority
LESSON 10
❑
Tuesday
March
2
Part 3
"And he shall speak great words against the most High"
FALSE
(Dan. 7:25).
TEACHING
"And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to
blaspheme his name" (Rev. 13:6).
Blasphemy may be defined as an indignity offered to God in
words, writing, etc., or in claiming the attributes or preroga-
tives of the Deity.
According to the prophecies, of what would the Christian
apostasy be guilty?
In his original charges Satan questioned the character of
God and misrepresented the Deity to the angels and the other
intelligent beings in the universe. Through the Christian apos-
tasy he continues to distort God's character.
What position does the leadership of this apostasy assume
in Christendom? 2 Thess. 2:4.
Since this Christian apostasy claims to represent God on
earth, it is evident that its acts and teachings will be regarded
by the multitudes as reflecting the character of the Christian's
God.
Such non-Scriptural doctrines as eternal torment, limbo, and
purgatory distort the divine character into that of a tyrant.
The hundreds of years of intolerance and persecution likewise
belie God's true character, and that spirit still prevails.
"It is Satan's constant effort to misrepresent the character
of God, the nature of sin, and the real issues at stake in the
great controversy. His sophistry lessens the obligation of the
divine law and gives men license to sin. At the same time he
causes them to cherish false conceptions of God so that they
regard Him with fear and hate rather than with love. The cruelty
inherent in his own character is attributed to the Creator; it is
embodied in systems of religion and expressed in modes of
worship."—The
Great Controversy,
p.. 569.
What symbol is used to indicate the corrupted nature of
the teachings of the apostasy which distorts the divine char-
acter? Rev. 17:1, 2, 4. See also 1 Cor. 11:25.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is the Christian apostasy so appealing to the minds
of millions both educated and uneducated?
"The papacy . . . is prepared for two classes of mankind,
embracing nearly the whole world—those who would be saved
by their merits, and those who would be saved in their sins.
Here is the secret of its power."—The
Great Controversy,
p.
572.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controvery,
pp. 567-570.
84
The Voice of a False Authority
LESSON 10
❑
Wednesday
March 3
Part 4
A FALSE ROLE
"Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is
called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth
in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God"
(2 Thess. 2:4).
The papacy has always been characterized by its extensive
claims to speak and act for God.
Writes a Roman authority: "'The pope is of so great dignity
and so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God,
and the vicar of God....
"'The Pope is crowned with a triple crown, as king of
heaven and of earth and of the lower regions' . . . (translated
from Lucius Ferraris, 'Papa II,'
Prompta Bibliotheca,
Vol. VI,
pp. 25-29)."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Dan. 7:25 (p. 831).
The apostasy has arrogated to itself the power to absolve
sins, a right belonging only to God (Luke 5:20, 21). It has in-
terposed a human priesthood between God and man, asserting
that divine grace is to be found in the sacraments administered
by that priesthood. Other un-Biblical assumptions include papal
infallibility and the claim of the priesthood to be able to change
bread and wine into the literal body and blood of Christ in the
mass.
How extensively has this Christian apostasy controlled
mankind religiously and politically in the past? What is proph-
esied of the future? Rev. 13:3, 7, 8.
"The Roman Catholic Church, with all its ramifications
throughout the world, forms one vast organization under the
control, and designed to serve the interests, of the papal see.
Its millions of communicants, in every country on the globe,
are instructed to hold themselves as bound in allegiance to
the pope....
"History testifies of her artful and persistent efforts to in-
sinuate herself into the affairs of nations; and having gained
a foothold, to further her own aims, even at the ruin of princes
and people."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 580.
-
The usurpation of authority over the lives and consciences
of others reflects the continuing aim of Satan to assert his
independence of God.
THINK IT THROUGH
The Scriptures teach the priesthood of every believer. What
is meant by this doctrine?
"All can now approach God through the merits of Christ.
. . . They need not depend on priest or ceremonial sacrifice.
Liberty is given to all to go directly to God through a personal
Saviour."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol.
7, p. 932.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 564-567.
85
The Voice of a False Authority
LESSON 10
•
El
Thursday
March 4
"Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host,
and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place
of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him
against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it
cast down the truth to the ground" (Dan. 8:11, 12).
"And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God . . .
and his tabernacle" (Rev. 13:6).
According to these prophecies what would the Christian
apostasy take away, cast down, and blaspheme?
The Hebrew word translated "daily" is
tamid
and has the
sense of "continual." It is often used in connection with the
earthly sanctuary with reference to the continual functioning
of the altars, the lamps, and the table of shewbread. Thus the
phrase "daily sacrifice" stands for the ministration in the
sanctuary.
Since the "little horn" of Daniel 8 represents Rome in both
its pagan and its papal phases, the casting down of the sanc-
tuary could refer to either the earthly type or the heavenly
reality. However, since the Christian apostasy occurred in the
Christian era, the emphasis of the prophecy is upon the heav-
enly sanctuary (see Heb. 8:1, 2) and Christ's priestly ministra-
tion there.
"Pagan Rome took away the 'daily,' and cast down the
sanctuary. But pagan Rome was succeeded by papal Rome,
which in just as marked a manner has 'taken way' the 'daily'
ministry of Christ in His heavenly sanctuary. Christ 'ever liveth
to make intercession' for those who 'come unto God by Him.'
. . . But the papacy has called attention away from the heav-
enly intercessor and His sanctuary ministry, and focused it.on
a system of salvation by works, on the confessional, and on
the sacrifice of the mass instead of on Christ's mediation as
our High Priest in heaven. The system has almost completely
diverted attention from Christ as mediator and has deprived
men of the benefits of His ministry, and thus has 'trodden
down' or defiled the sanctuary."—T. H. Jemison,
Christian
Beliefs,
(Pacific Press, 1959), p. 217.
Satan originally charged that God could not be both just
and merciful. But the plan of salvation marvelously blends these
two attributes. Hence, his warfare continues through the apos-
tasy to divert earth's millions from a true understanding of the
atoning death of Christ and His mediatorial ministry in their
behalf. Thus also continues the war against Christ.
THINK IT THROUGH
What do you know to be the heart of the Christian gospel?
"If you ... accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your
life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous."
—Steps to Christ,
p. 62.
FURTHER STUDY
SDA Bible Commentary, vol.
7, pp. 913, 914.
86
Part 5
FALSE
MEDIATION
The Voice of
a False Authority LESSON
10
❑
Friday
March 5
Part 6
According to the prophecies how would the great Christian
A FALSE
apostasy deal with Christians who differed with it?
SPIRIT AND
"I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints,
POWER
and prevailed against them. . . .
"And he shall . . . wear out the saints of the most High
. . . : and they shall be given into his hand until a time and
times and the dividing of time" (Dan. 7:21, 25).
"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints,
and to overcome them" (Rev. 13:7).
The papacy acknowledges that it has persecuted, and it de-
fends its actions. It has never renounced the use of force. The
"Holy Office" of the Inquisition, formally established by Pope
Innocent III (1215), became a cruel instrument in the hands of
the apostasy to root out dissent. The universe must have
watched in horror as professed Christians slaughtered their
fellow Christians.
"In the thirteenth century was established that most terrible
of all the engines of the papacy—the Inquisition. The prince of
darkness wrought with the leaders of the papal hierarchy."—
The Great Controversy,
p. 59.
How does the Bible symbolize this aspect of the Christian
apostasy? Rev. 17:6.
In heaven Satan sought to subvert the loyalty of the angels.
On earth he wars against God's people, employing both de-
ception and force. The papal violations of the first table of the
law in usurping the authority of God has inevitably led to perse-
cution and oppression when it has been in its power to em-
ploy such.
How does prophecy foretell the rise of persecution similar
to the past? Rev. 13:11-17.
"When the leading churches of the United States, uniting
upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common,
shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sus-
tain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed
an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil
penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result."—The
Great
Controversy,
p. 445.
THINK IT THROUGH
The spirit of intolerance seems at times to fade. Why is
this so? Why does it never truly die out?
"Wherever there are any who will stand in vindication of
the righteousness of the law of God, the same spirit will be
manifested against them [such as Cain's against Abel]. It is
the spirit that through all the ages has set up the stake and
kindled the burning pile for the disciples of
Christ."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
p. 77.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great'Controversy,
pp. 442-445.
87
LESSON 11
March 7-13
Conflicts Within
the Church
Within the circle
of Christianity are those
who profess to be followers of Christ but whose allegiance
is committed to Satan.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is
like unto a net, that was cast into the
sea, and gathered of every kind:
which when it was full, they drew
to shore, and sat down, and gathered
the good into vessels, but cast the
bad away" (Matt. 13:47, 48).
"The casting of the net is the
preaching of the gospel. This gathers
both good and evil into the church.
When the mission of the gospel is
completed, the judgment will ac-
complish the work of separation.
Christ saw how the existence of
false brethren in the church would
cause the way of truth to be evil
spoken of. The world would revile
the gospel because of the incon-
sistent lives of false professors. Even
Christians would be caused to stum-
ble as they saw that many who bore
Christ's name were not controlled
by His Spirit. Because these sinners
were in the church, men would be
in danger of thinking that God ex-
cused their sins. Therefore Christ
lifts the veil from the future and bids
all to behold that it is character, not
position, which decides man's des-
tiny."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
pp.
122, 123.
The parables of the net and of the
wheat and tares point out the fact
that the great controversy between
God and Satan operates not only in
national life and through organized
apostasy, but also within the circle
of true Christianity. This fact needs
to be clearly recognized. The church
is not an art gallery of plaster-cast
saints, but a hospital for sinners.
Divine grace is able to cure all, but
unfortunately not all are willing to
be healed.
In our study this week we shall
see Satan's purpose to introduce
tares among the wheat, how he suc-
ceeds in developing professing
Christians within the church who
will live according to his principles.
We shall see how a tare comes into
being. Then we shall note in what
form tare characteristics may be
seen in the church. It may be seen
in abuse or misuse of authority on
the part of some leaders. It may be
seen in the formulating by some of
divisive teachings and attacks upon
the church from within. On this
point Ellen White has written:
"When men arise, claiming to
have a message from God, but in-
stead of warring against principali-
ties and powers, and the rulers of
the darkness of this world, they form
a hollow square, and turn the wea-
pons of warfare against the church
militant, be afraid of them. They do
not bear the divine credentials. God
has not given them any such burden
of labor. They would tear down that
which God would restore by the
Laodicean message."—Testimonies
to Ministers,
pp. 22, 23.
The evidence of the conflict is also
seen in the daily lives of the Chris-
tian community. Self is either mar-
ring our witness to those about us,
or the spirit of love and self-sacrifice
is healing and winning, attracting
hearts to heaven.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Good and Bad (Maft. 13:24-26)
2.
The Secret of Goodness (Luke
8:13)
3.
True Leadership (3 John 9, 10)
4.
Divisive Doctrines (2 Tim.
2:17-19)
5.
Love and Selfishness (Acts
4:36, 37)
6.
Unity in Love (John 13:34, 35)
Conflicts Within the Church
LESSON 11
❑
Sunday
March 7
"The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which
sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy
came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit,
then appeared the tares also" (Matt. 13:24-26).
What instruction did the householder give his servants
when they asked if they should weed out the tares? Matt.
13:27-30.
Summarize Christ's explanation of His parable of the
wheat and tares. Matt. 13:37-43.
The good seed, sown in the field of the world, springs up as
loyal followers of God; that is, true believers in the Christian
church. Since the tares are sown
among
the good seed, the
parable presents a picture of the
church—all
professed fol-
lowers of God—but in reality a mixture of genuine and false
believers.
"The good seed represents those who are born of the word
of God, the truth. The tares represent a class who are the fruit
or embodiment of error, of false principles. . . .
"By bringing into the church those who bear Christ's name
while they deny His character, the wicked one causes that
God shall be dishonored, the work of salvation misrepresented,
and souls imperiled."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
pp. 70, 71.
Sometimes new Christians are discouraged by the pride and
sin which they discover in the church. Nonmembers may be
repulsed by some misrepresentation of Christ. Both groups fail
to realize that the great moral controversy is reflected in the
heart of every human being, even where Christian principles
are espoused. "Children of the wicked one" may be professed
Christians who reflect the satanic attitudes toward God's law.
They are represented as being an offense and as doing "iniq-
uity" (verse 41); that is, they are in their words and actions
violating the principles of God's law.
How long will the evidence of this moral conflict be seen
in the church? Matt. 13:30, 39-41.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it that Jesus has authorized the church to disfellow-
ship in some instances (Matt. 16:19; 18:15-18), but not in
others? Matt. 13:28-30.
"Christ has plainly taught that those who persist in open sin
must be separated from the church, but He has not committed
to us the work of judging character and motive. . . . Should
we try to uproot from the church those whom we suppose to
be spurious Christians, we should be sure to make mistakes."
—Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 71.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Tares," pp. 70-75.
90
Part 1
GOOD AND BAD
Conflicts Within the Church
LESSON 11
❑
Monday
March 8
"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, re-
ceive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a
while believe, and in time of temptation fall away" (Luke
8:13).
The parable dealing with four kinds of soil into which the
seed of truth may fall gives us an insight into why some
Christians apostatize.
What is it that causes spiritual life to die out in the heart
of a stony-ground hearer?
"Many who make a profession of religion are stony-ground
hearers. Like the rock underlying the layer of earth, the selfish-
ness of the natural heart underlies the soil of their good de-
sires and aspirations. The love of self is not subdued."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
p. 46.
"The effort to serve both self and Christ makes one a stony-
ground hearer, and he will not endure when the test comes
upon
him."—Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 50.
The spirit of self-centeredness, of independence of God, is
reflected in some Christians. Such an attitude violates the first
table of the law by putting self before God. True conversion
brings about a full surrender of the will, a full dependence
upon God.
"The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world.
This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the
churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are
unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they
were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not
rise to newness of life in Christ."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 6, p. 1075.
What counsels are given the truly converted to prevent
them from becoming tarelike? Heb. 3:12-14; 2 Peter 3:17.
"The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect
to pray. . . . Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching,
we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from
the right path."—Steps
to Christ,
pp. 94, 95.
The secret of true Christian growth is to cultivate under
God's Spirit a deeper love for God...Why is this so?
"All true obedience comes from the heart. . . . If we con-
sent, He [Christ] will so identify Himself with our thoughts and
aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will,
that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own
impulses. . . . Through an appreciation of the character of
Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful
to
us."—The Desire of Ages,
p. 668.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"The Sower Went Forth to Sow"
("In Stony Places"), pp. 46-50.
91
Part 2
THE SECRET
OF GOODNESS
THINK IT THROUGH
Conflicts Within the Church
LESSON 11
D Tuesday
March
9
Part 3
Diotrephes was probably an elder in a local church. How
TRUE
does John describe his abuse of authority?
LEADERSHIP
"I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to
have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. . . .
[He prates] against us with malicious words: . . . neither cloth
he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that
would, and casteth them out of the church" (3 John 9, 10).
Diotrephes was a tare in the church, lording his authority
over the members under him. He reflected the haughty spirit of
Satan.
What desire sometimes created strife even among the
Master's twelve disciples? Matt. 18:1; Luke 22:24.
"The strife for the highest place was the outworking of that
same spirit which was the beginning of the great controversy
in the worlds above. . . . Lucifer desired God's power, but not
His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and
every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same.
Thus alienation, discord, and strife will be inevitable. Dominion
becomes the prize of the strongest. The kingdom of Satan is a
kingdom of force; every individual regards every other as an
obstacle in the way of his own advancement, or a steppingstone
on which he himself may climb to a higher place."—The
Desire
of Ages,
pp. 435, 436.
What counsel did Christ and the apostle Peter give for
those who would be leaders in the church? Matt. 20:26-28;
1 Peter 5:1-3.
What are some of the qualities of a good pastor? What
attitude is to be rejected? John 10:11-13; 1 Thess. 2:3-9; Phil.
2:19-21.
"Those who occupy the position of undershepherds are to
exercise a watchful diligence over the Lord's flock. This is not
to be a dictatorial vigilance, but one that tends to encourage
and strengthen and uplift....
"The spirit of the true shepherd is one of self-forgetfulness.
He loses sight of self in order that he may work the works of
God."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 526, 527.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why should a Christian not neglect attending the services
of the church even if he feels that its leadership is not repre-
sentative of the gospel? See Matt. 23:1-3.
"While Christ is sowing the good seed, Satan is sowing the
tares. There are two opposing influences continually exerted
on the members of the church. One influence is working for
the purification of the church, and the other for the corrupting
of the people of
God."—Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 46.
FURTHER STUDY
The Desire of Ages,
pp. 434-442.
92
Conflicts Within the Church
LESSON 11
El Wednesday
March 10
Part 4
From time to time how does Satan seek to weaken and to
DIVISIVE
divide the cause of God on earth?
DOCTRINE
"And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is
Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred,
saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow
the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God stand-
eth sure, having this seal, The Lord knovieth them that are
his" (2 Tim. 2:17-19).
"Christians are often content to rely upon those in the church
who are considered special students of the Bible, instead of
diligently studying the Scriptures for themselves. Consequently,
when error is presented they are often at a loss to distinguish
between it and truth."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on 2 Tim. 2:18.
How do false teachers arrive at their divisive doctrinal
teachings which make them very deceptive? 2 Cor. 2:17; 4:1,
2; 2 Peter 3:15, 16.
A common practice of false teachers who have arisen
through the years in the Seventh-day Adventist Church is com-
mented on by Ellen White: "It will be found that those who
bear false messages will not have a high sense of honor and
integrity. They will deceive the people, and mix up with their
error the
Testimonies
of Sister White, and use her name to
give influence to their work. They make such selections from
the
Testimonies
as they think they can twist to support their
positions, and place them in a setting of falsehood, so that
their error may have weight and be accepted by the people."
—Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 42.
Of what have Christians been warned to expect within the
church? 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Matt. 24:24.
The introduction of divisive teachings into the ranks of God's
people recalls Satan's procedure in heaven of misrepresenting
the character of God. This is one way in which the "dragon"
makes war with the "remnant" of God's people (Rev. 12:17).
THINK IT THROUGH
As a child of God in what way may I best prepare myself
to avoid being deceived by false teachings presented within
or without the church?
"It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn
from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light
and encourage others to follow his example. We should day
by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought and
comparing scripture with scripture. With divine help we are to
form our opinions for ourselves."—The
Great Controversy,
p.
598.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies to Ministers,
pp. 22, 23.
93
Conflicts Within the Church
LESSON 11
0 Thursday
March 11
When many of the early Christians in Judea were cut off
from their former employments because of their faith, what
unselfish act did Barnabas (and others) do to meet the need?
"And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas,
(which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite,
and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought
the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet" (Acts 4:36, 37).
Barnabas and his brethren demonstrated the beauty of lives
that were in harmony with the divine law. Supreme love for
God led them to deny themselves and to show a loving concern
for their needy brethren even at personal sacrifice.
"Thus it was in the early church; and when in the church of
today it is seen that by the power of the Spirit the members
have taken their affections from the things of the world, and
that they are willing to make sacrifices in order that their fel-
lowmen may hear the gospel, the truths proclaimed will have
a powerful influence upon the hearers."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
p. 71.
In contrast to the unselfish spirit of Barnabas how did
Ananias and Sapphira falsify their giving? Acts 5:1-11.
"Infinite Wisdom saw that this signal manifestation of the
wrath of God was necessary to guard the young church from
becoming demoralized. . . . It was designed as a warning to
the church, to lead them to avoid pretense and hypocrisy, and
to beware of robbing God."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
pp.
73, 74.
What motivated Demas, a long-time minister, to desert
Paul when he was imprisoned in a Roman dungeon? 2 Tim.
4:10.
"For worldly gain, Demas bartered every high and noble
consideration."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 455.
In contrast to Demas's perfidy, how did Paul describe the
steadfastness of Aquila and Priscilla? Rom. 16:3-5.
The experiences of Ananias and Sapphira and of Demas in-
dicate that Christianity has never been without its tares. The
truth is perfect, but the people are imperfect, revealing the
controversy in each life. Christ is the perfect Pattern to emulate
(Matt. 16:24).
THINK IT THROUGH
What is the most important thing the Holy Spirit can do for
us with respect to the conflict between love and selfishness?
"Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of
God. . . . When we love the world as He has loved it, then for
us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for
we have heaven in our hearts."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 641.
FURTHER STUDY
The Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 70-76.
94
Part 5
LOVE AND
SELFISHNESS
Conflicts Within the Church
LESSON 11
❑
Friday
March 12
Part 6
What is the true evidence of discipleship?
UNITY IN LOVE
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one
another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have
love one to another" (John 13:34, 35).
"When men are bound together, not by force or self-interest,
but by love, they show the working of an influence that is
above every human influence. Where this oneness exists, it is
evidence that the image of God is being restored in humanity,
that a new principle of life has been implanted. It shows that
there is power in the divine nature to withstand the supernat-
ural agencies of evil, and that the grace of God subdues the
selfishness inherent in the natural heart."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 678.
What is the source of love? Rom. 5:5.
"God's law is fulfilled only as men love Him with heart,
mind, soul, and strength, and their neighbor as themselves. It
is the manifestation of this love that brings glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace and good will to men. The Lord
is glorified when the great end of His law is attained. It is the
work of the Holy Spirit from age to age to impart love to hu-
man hearts, for love is the living principle of brotherhood."
—Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 139.
Unfortunately, what tarelike conduct at times mars the
church? 1 Cor. 3:3; 6:1-8, -18-20.
"Lawsuits between brethren are a reproach to the cause of
truth. Christians who go to law with one another expose the
church to the ridicule of her enemies and cause the powers
of darkness to triumph. They are wounding Christ afresh and
putting Him to open shame. By ignoring the authority of the
church, they show contempt for God, who gave to the church
its authority."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 306.
What is the basic secret for preserving unity in the family
of God? Eph. 4:1-3, 31, 32.
THINK IT THROUGH
What am I personally doing to promote unity and coopera-
tion in my church?
"The reason for all division, discord, and difference is found
in separation from Christ. Christ is the center to which all
should be attracted; for the nearer we approach the center, the
closer we shall come together in feeling, in sympathy, in love."
—Selected Messages,
bk. 1, p. 259.
FURTHER STUDY
Testimonies, vol.
1, p. 327.
95
"He hath aPgointed a day,
in the which,,he will judge the
wor d in'rigleousness
LESSON 12
March 14-2(
God's People
Vindicated
"And the times of this ignorance
God winked at; but now command-
eth all men every where to repent:
because he hath appointed a day, in
the which he will judge the world
in righteousness by that man whom
he hath ordained" (Acts 17: 30, 31).
In the sanctuary service Israel's re-
ligious year closed with the Day of
Atonement, a type of judgment.
Thus was foreshadowed the fact that
the plan of salvation would end with
a final day of judgment.
The Scriptures make frequent ref-
erences to the day of judgment.
However, the "day of judgment" is
not simply one "day," nor is it
simply the act of giving rewards.
Rather, the "day of judgment" in-
volves three phases, extending from
1844 to the destruction of the
wicked and the creation of a new
earth at the close of the millennium.
There is (1) the investigative phase
in which those whose names are in
the book of life will be examined.
This is the judgment which precedes
the second advent; it began in 1844
and ends with the close of human
probation. This phase is followed by
(2) a review in which the redeemed,
during their millennial reign with
Christ in heaven, will review the
cases of the lost. Finally, (3) there is
the executive phase at which time
Satan, his angels, and the impenitent
will be judged and destroyed by the
lake of fire, and the new earth will
be given to the redeemed as their
eternal inheritance. In each phase
some portion of the intelligent crea-
tion will be given the opportunity to
understand the issues in the con-
troversy and to approve of the divine
actions.
The judgment in heaven preced-
ing the second advent in one sense
is the most crucial of the three
phases. From the viewpoint of the
doctrine of the sanctuary, this judg-
ment will declare the genuine peo-
ple of God trustworthy through the
merits of Christ, and they will be
secured as jewels for His kingdom.
"The deepest interest manifested
among men in the decisions of
earthly tribunals but faintly repre-
sents the interest evinced in the
heavenly courts when the names
entered in the book of life come up
in review before the Judge of all the
earth. The divine
Intercessor
pre-
sents the plea that all who have
overcome through faith in His blood
be forgiven their transgressions, that
they be restored to their Eden home,
and crowned as joint heirs with Him-
self to 'the first dominion.' Micah
4:8. Satan in his efforts to deceive
and tempt our race had thought to
frustrate the divine plan in man's
creation; but Christ now asks that
this plan be carried into effect as if
man had never fallen. He asks for
His people not only pardon and jus-
tification, full and complete, but a
share in His glory and a seat upon
His throne."—The
Great Contro-
versy,
pp. 483, 484.
It is this first phase of the "day of
judgment" that we will study in this
week's lesson.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Type of the Judgment (Lev.
23:27)
2.
The Records for Judgment (Rom.
14:10, 12)
3.
The Need for Judgment (Matt.
13:47, 48)
4.
Acquittal in the Judgment (Matt.
22:11-14)
5.
The Time of the Judgment—I
(Dan. 8:14)
6.
The Time of the judgment—II
(Dan. 9:24)
God's People Vindicated
LESSON 12
❑
Sunday
March 14
Part 1
THE TYPE OF
THE JUDGMENT
FURTHER STUDY
98
What ritual, conducted by the high priest once a year,
climaxed the sanctuary services of Israel?
"Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall
be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto
you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made
by fire unto the Lord" (Lev. 23:27).
The sanctuary ritual illustrated to Israel in type and shadow
the plan of salvation.
In the daily service ,penitent sinners confessed their sins
and were forgiven as they trusted in the merits of the prom-
ised Redeemer, typified in the sacrifices. By means of the ritual
their confessed sins were transferred in figure to the sanctuary.
In this sense the sanctuary became defiled. It was cleansed on
the Day of Atonement by a special ritual.
The daily ritual had to do with the cleansing of persons; the
yearly had to do with the cleansing of the sanctuary. In other
words, the daily ritual taught in type that aspect of the plan
of salvation which was concerned with saving the sinner from
his sins and in restoring him to the image of God. The yearly
ritual taught in type the final eradication of sin and Satan, the
banishment of sin and its effects from the universe.
"Once each year their minds were carried forward to till
closing events of the great controversy between Christ anti
Satan, the final purification of the universe from sin and sin-
ners."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 358.
The yearly ritual centered on two goats—one for the Lord
and one for Azazel ("scapegoat," see margin). What was the
function of each goat? Lev. 16:8, 9, 15-22.
This figurative eradication of sin typified the final judgment
when God will set things right.
Who was intimately involved in this typical judgment
scene? Lev. 16:30, 34.
The two goats typify Christ and Satan, and imply by type
the final resolution of the great controversy begun in heaven.
The death of Christ, typified by the shedding of the blood of
the Lord's goat fully atones for all who have placed their trust
in Him. This is the heart of God's answer to the problem of
sin. The banished scapegoat (for Azazel) typified Satan upon
whom the final responsibility for sin will be placed. Like the
goat he will be banished to the wilderness of this chaotic earth
during the millennium and will die in the destruction of sin at
its end.
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 355-358.
God's People
Vindicated
LESSON 12
❑
Monday
March I5
Part 2
"For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of
THE RECORDS
Christ....
FOR JUDGMENT
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to
God" (Rom. 14:10, 12).
What supplies the evidence of the thoughts, motives, and
acts of each individual in the judgment? Rev. 20:12; Jer. 2:22;
Mal. 3:16.
"The books of record in heaven, in which the names and
the deeds of men are registered, are to determine the decisions
of the judgment."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 480.
The Bible states plainly that all have sinned (Rom. 3:23);
hence, all are under the divine judgment of death (Rom.
6:23). When a penitent sinner accepts the gospel, where is
his name recorded? Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3.
In the typical service moral responsibility for sins was
figuratively transferred from the penitent to the sanctuary. In
reality, how is it transferred, and to whom? Heb. 9:28; 10:12;
1 John 1:9.
"In the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith
placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly
sanctuary."—Th
e Great Controversy,
p. 421.
The sanctuary type makes it evident that when sin was
forgiven it was not blotted out. The sinner was freely forgiven,
but the sin remained in the sanctuary until the Day of Atone-
ment. This shows another aspect of God's dealing with sin
that goes beyond the forgiveness of the individual. For the
moment the sanctuary had assumed responsibility; the sinner
was free. So Christ is our Substitute and Surety as we put our
trust in Him.
Since all whose names are not in the book of life are
already under condemnation, who are the persons involved
in the investigative phase of the judgment?
"In the typical service only those who had come before God
with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the
blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had
a part in the service of the Day of Atonement. So in the great
day of final atonement and investigative judgment the only
cases considered are those of the professed people of God."
—The Great Controversy,
p. 480.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why should a genuine Christian have no fear of the in-
vestigative phase of the judgment?
"If Christ is my Saviour, my sacrifice, my atonement, then I
shall never perish. Believing on Him, I have life forevermore."
—Selected Messages,
bk. 2, p. 381.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 420-422.
99
God's People
Vindicated
LESSON 12
❑
Tuesday
March 16
Part 3
What kind of persons does the gospel net bring into the
THE NEED FOR
kingdom of grace? What is represented by the sorting?
JUDGMENT
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was
cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when
it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered
the good into vessels, but cast the bad away" (Matt. 13:
47, 48).
"When the mission of the gospel is completed, the judg-
ment will accomplish the work of separation."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
p. 122.
Sometimes it is asked why it is necessary for God to investi-
gate in judgment those who have professed faith in Christ. In
answer we must note that the investigative phase of judgment
is not for the omniscient God who reads the future as the pres-
ent and who is acquainted with every life. This judgment is for
the benefit of loyal beings in the universe who are not omni-
scient. Here they have an opportunity to see God's fairness in
dealing with man.
One purpose of the investigative phase is to sift out the
genuine believer from the false. The parables of the net, the
wheat and tares, and the ten virgins show that not all whose
names are in the book of life remain faithful or will be saved.
What basic test will be applied in this judgment? Matt.
7:21-23; James 2:8-12.
When the life record of a genuine believer is examined,
what will his High Priest do for him? Rev. 3:5. What must He
do if the professed believer is a false disciple? Ex. 32:33.
Christ's second-apartment ministry in the heavenly court is
His last work in behalf of His true people. God will clear those
who have trusted in the provisions of the plan of salvation. The
loyal universe would question the taking of sinners into heaven;
Satan would protest too. The records depict the sins and fail-
ures of God's people, but they also demonstrate how Christians
have laid hold of the merits of Christ, surrendering their lives
fully to Him. "Jesus does not excuse their sins, but shows their
penitence and faith, and . . . [claims] for them forgiveness."
—The Great Controversy,
p. 484. On this basis He secures their
acquittal and blots out the record of their sins.
The prophecies of Daniel 8 and 9 and the doctrine of the
sanctuary focus on the heavenly judgment scene in which
God's people are cleared to enter the kingdom at the second
advent.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 479-491.
100
God's People Vindicated
LESSON 12
❑
Wednesday
March 17
"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw
there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he
saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having
a wedding garment? . . . Bind him hand and foot, and take
him away. . . . For many are called, but few are chosen"
(Matt. 22:1 1-14).
The parable of the wedding garment sketches the gospel
invitation in the Christian era. Two appeals are made to the
nation of Israel (by Christ before the cross; by the apostles
after the cross, verses 3, 4). The invitation is rejected; the mes-
sengers mistreated. In turn Israel is rejected as God's agent.
Jerusalem is destroyed and the nation scattered (verse 7). The
third invitation goes to the world (verses 8, 9).
Throughout the Christian era what kinds of persons have
responded to the gospel invitation? Matt. 22:10.
Before the invited guests participate in the wedding feast,
an inspection by the king takes place. What does this inspec-
tion of professed Christians represent? Matt. 22:11-14.
"By the king's examination of the guests at the feast is rep-
resented a work of judgment. The guests at the gospel feast
are those who profess to serve God, those whose names are
written in the book of life. But not all who profess to be Chris-
tians are true disciples. Before the final reward is given, it must
be decided who are fitted to share the inheritance of the righ-
teous....
"It is while men are still dwelling upon the earth that the
work of investigative judgment takes place in the courts of
heaven. The lives of all His professed followers pass in review
before God. All are examined according to the record of the
books of heaven, and according to his deeds the destiny of
each is forever
fixed."—Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 310.
What does the garment, a gift from the king, represent?
What did Paul wish to be found having? Phil. 3:8, 9.
"When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united
with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes
one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to
Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with
the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon
us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and
deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is
perfect obedience to the law of
Jehovah."—Christ's Object
Lessons,
p. 312.
FURTHER STUDY
Christ's Object Lessons,
"Without a Wedding Garment," pp.
307-319.
101
Part 4
ACQUITTAL IN
THE JUDGMENT
God's People Vindicated
LESSON 12
❑
Thursday
March 18
Part 5
THE TIME
OF THE
JUDGMENT—I
FURTHER STUDY
102
"And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hun-
dred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed" (Dan. 8:14).
The Hebrew reads: "Unto evening morning two thousand
and three hundred." The sequence of
evening-morning
reflects
the Hebrew concept of a "day" as given in the Creation ac-
count: "And there was evening and there was morning, one
day" (Gen. 1:5, RSV.) Thus the expression in Daniel 8:14 means
simply "two thousand and three hundred days." The Jewish
translators of the Greek Septuagint evidently understood the
expression this way since their translation reads: "Unto eve-
ning and morning."
This time period distressed Daniel. He apparently thought
there was to be a delay in the return of Israel.
To what prophecies did Daniel turn to study in his per-
plexity? Dan. 9:1, 2. See also Jer. 25:1-14; 29:1-14.
It was now the first year of Darius the Mede (538 BC). Reck-
oning from his own captivity (605 BC), the prophet realized
that the 70-year exile was nearly over. He now sought God in
prayer to fulfill His promises (Dan. 9:3-19).
What explanation of the 2300-day prophecy did Gabriel
later give? Dan. 9:21-27.
In stating that the 70 weeks (a prophetic expression in which
a day symbolizes a year: 7 x 70 = 490 days-years) were to be
set apart for Israel, Gabriel, in effect, assured Daniel that the
exiles and the temple would be restored. He now announces
the time for the advent of the Messiah.
Since the 70 weeks (490 years) logically make up the first
part of the 2300 years, what starting point for both did Ga-
briel give? Dan. 9:25.
The decree of Artaxerxes I which restored Jewish autonomy
became effective in the fall of 457 BC. Twenty-three hundred
years from that date brings us to the fall of 1844. Since this
date falls in the Christian era, the cleansing of the sanctuary
concerns Christ's final ministry in the
heavenly
sanctuary.
"While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven,
while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the
sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of put-
ting away of sin, among God's people upon earth. This work
is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14.
"When this work shall have been accomplished, the follow-
ers of Christ will be ready for His appearing."—The
Great
Controversy,
p. 425.
The Great Controversy,
pp. 410, 417.
God's People Vindicated
LESSON 12
❑
Friday
March 19
"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon
thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end
of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring
in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and
prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy" (Dan. 9:24).
This 490-year period was a time of high destiny for Israel,
the climax to which all their history and worship focused—
Messiah's appearance and redemption. "To make an end of
sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in
everlasting righteousness" refer to the redemptive acts of
Christ. The supreme sacrifice of Calvary (verses 26, 27) makes
possible the final destruction of sin, atonement for penitent
sinners, and righteousness through His merits.
According to the prophecy, what was to be anointed?
The Hebrew phrase
qodesh qodashim
translated "the most
Holy" is used more than forty times in the Old Testament in
connection with the sanctuary and its related objects, and not
to persons. The RSV translates the phrase in Dan. 9:24 as "a
most holy place." What "most holy place" is referred to?
"In view of the fact that the Hebrew phrase cannot elsewhere
be shown to refer definitely to a person, and in view of the
fact that the heavenly sanctuary is under discussion in the
larger aspects of the vision . . . , it is reasonable to conclude
that Daniel is here speaking of the anointing of the heavenly
sanctuary prior to the time of Christ's inauguration as high
priest."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Dan. 9:24.
What other prophecies foretold the priestly ministry of the
Messiah? Ps. 110:1, 4; Isa. 53:12.
The prophecies foretold that the Messiah would be a priest
after the order of Melchizedek. Now in Daniel the anointing of
a sanctuary in connection with the Messiah is announced. The
divine spotlight thus shifts within the continuous visions of
chapters 8, 9 from the earthly typical sanctuary, which ceased
to have meaning at the cross (see Dan. 9:27; Matt. 27:51), to
the heavenly antitypical sanctuary.
The 490-year portion of the visions thus pointed to the re-
demptive acts of Christ on earth
and
to His ministration in the
heavenly sanctuary as man's High Priest. The 2300-year portion
focuses upon His closing ministration there, a work of judg-
ment, cleansing and restoring it to its rightful state.
THINK IT THROUGH
While God the Father is over all (Dan. 7:9, 10), why has
He entrusted all judgment to Christ? See John 5:22, 27.
"He who took humanity upon Himself, and in this world lived
a perfect life, is to judge
us."—Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 185.
FURTHER STUDY
.Prophets
and Kings,
pp. 698, 699.
103
Part 6
THE TIME
OF THE
JUDGMENT—II
LESSON 13
March 21-2
God's Rule
Vindicated
Out of the fires of persecution and trial in the
last days, God's church will emerge as a vindication of
His love and righteousness.
AMAJCSAi TAAVileMv
f.n.raMeallyworam.
Yqta.1.6Pa=ir O1MsaiR1911111
"The Lord is righteous in all his
ways, and holy in all his works" (Ps.
145:17).
In last week's lesson we studied
the first of three phases of the "day
of judgment." This week the second
and third phases will be examined;
that is, (2) the court of review during
the millennium, and (3) the execu-
tive phase after the millennium.
The Scriptures testify to the ex-
istence of God and that He is the
moral Governor of the universe of
intelligent beings He has created.
Subjects may rebel against the divine
authority, but the prophecies fore-
tell that a court of judgment will sit
in heaven to resolve the issues be-
tween righteousness and sin, be-
tween God and Satan.
"Unto two thousand and three
hundred days; then shall the sanc-
tuary be cleansed" (Dan. 8:14) di-
rects attention to the time set by
God for the beginning of the judg-
ment, composed of three phases.
In Daniel 7 it is the "little horn"
power, one of the agencies of Sa-
tan, that is brought into judgment.
Through the Christian apostasy Satan
has continued those challenges
which he originally raised in heaven.
The heavenly court of judgment will
try the "little horn" power and will
render a verdict of guilty. In that
judgment will be weighed the issues
and charges made by Satan against
God. The judgment is first of all a
judgment on the original issues in
favor of God, and a condemnation of
Satan and his rebellion with the con-
curring approval by the watching
loyal inhabitants of the universe.
In that court the observers will see
by the light of Calvary and the plan
of salvation that God's character is
infinite love. His law will be seen to
be in the best interests of His crea-
tures. It will be evident that intelli-
gent life finds its fullest meaning un-
der the divine government. The
cross will have demonstrated that
justice and mercy are not incompati-
ble. God has been righteous in all
His dealings with His creatures both
loyal and disloyal. It will then be
seen that the spirit of self-sacrifice is
the spirit of heaven, for Deity will-
ingly stooped to save the sinner.
God will be vindicated. Henceforth,
the universe, under His sovereignty,
will be eternally secure.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Vindication by His People (Rev.
14:12, 14)
2.
Vindication by the Judgment—I
(Dan. 7:9, 10)
3.
Vindication by the Judgment—II
(Dan. 8:13, 14)
4.
Rebellion Condemned (Dan.
7:26; 8:25)
5.
Judging the Wicked (Rev. 20:4)
6.
Execution of Sentence (2 Cor.
5:10)
God's Rule Vindicated
LESSON 13
❑
Sunday
March 21
Considering the issues of the moral controversy we have
been studying, how will the last generation of God's true
believers vindicate Him on the earth?
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep
the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. . . .
"And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the
cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head
a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle" (Rev. 14:
12, 14).
God will close the great moral controversy between Satan
and Himself on two planes: (1) By divine action in the heavenly
sanctuary court. Here God's people will be vindicated. (2) By
a final movement on earth of His people who will come into
full harmony with His law, and will remain loyal to Him at all
costs as they preach God's last messages of appeal to the
world. Thus, the people that God vindicates in the judgment
have contributed, and will continue to contribute, to the vindi-
cation of God.
"The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of
men. It was organized for service, and its mission to carry the
gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's
plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world
His fulness and His sufficiency. The members of the church,
those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous
light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository
of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will
eventually be made manifest, even to 'the principalities and
powers in heavenly places,' the final and full display of the
love of God. Ephesians 3:10."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
p. 9.
What are the basic points of the last appeal from God to
be given to the entire earth? Rev. 14:6-12, 14.
The last appeal continues to be "the everlasting gospel,"
with special warnings about the last-day situation.
Since the emphases of the second and the third angels come
later than the first angel, and since the second advent is not
a formal judgment, it is reasonable to conclude that the first
angel's announcement, "the hour of his judgment is come,"
refers to the opening of the heavenly sanctuary court of judg-
ment in heaven in 1844. Thus, since that date, the final vindi-
cation of God has been going on in, heaven and in earth.
THINK IT THROUGH
In what ways does my life testify favorably to the char-
acter of the God I profess to serve?
"The world does not so much need men of great intellect as
of noble character. It needs men in whom ability is controlled
by steadfast
principle."—Education,
p. 225.
FURTHER STUDY
Evangelism,
p. 695.
106
Part 1
VINDICATION
BY HIS PEOPLE
God's Rule Vindicated
LESSON 13
❑
Monday
March 22
Part 2
VINDICATION
BY THE
JUDGMENT—I
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient
of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the
hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the
fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. . . . Thousand
thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten
thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the
books were opened" (Dan. 7:9, 10).
Since the "Ancient of days" represents God the Father,
where is this solemn judgment held? See "The Great Contro-
versy," pages 479, 480.
"Thousand thousands.
These represent the heavenly angels
who wait before the Lord and are ever attendant on His will.
The angels perform an important part in the judgment. They
function as both 'ministers and witnesses' (GC 479).
"Was set.
Or, 'began to sit.' Daniel is shown the final judg-
ment in both its phases, investigative and executive."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Dan. 7:10.
In comparing Daniel 2 and 7 we see that the latter vision
introduces
two
new features: (1) The rise and career of the
horn with the eyes and mouth of a man which we have earlier
identified as the Christian apostasy, and (2) the scene depict-
ing final judgment in the court of heaven.
The importance of this vision is underscored by the fact that
its essential elements are stated three times: verses 1-14, 15-22,
and 23-27.
According to the context of this vision who is especially
being reviewed and judged? Dan. 7:11, 21, 22, 26.
It is clear that one aspect of this judgment deals with the
matter: Who is going to have the dominion? Four world king-
doms sought for control; likewise the little horn. The judgment
sits at some time
after
the horn's special period of rule (1260
days-years: AD 538 to AD 1798). Decisions will be made
in
favor
of Christ and His people, but
against
the horn whose
destruction is decreed (verses 11, 26).
THINK IT THROUGH
The judgment pronounced upon the serpent (Gen. 3:14,
15) was really upon whom? The judgment pronouncement
upon the little horn is really a final judgment on whom?
"In the judgment of the universe God will stand clear of
blame for the existence or continuance of evil. It will be dem-
onstrated that the divine decrees are not accessory to sin.
There was no defect in God's government, no cause for dis-
affection."—The
Desire of Ages,
p. 58.
FURTHER STUDY
SDA Bible Commentary,
on Daniel 7.
107
God's Rule Vindicated
LESSON 13
Ei
Tuesday
March
23
Part 3
VINDICATION
BY THE
JUDGMENT—II
The cleansing of the sanctuary was to take place at the
close of what period of time?
"Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said
unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the
vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of
desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be
trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand
and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed"
(Dan. 8:13, 14).
"The prophecy of Dan. 8:14 announces the time for the be-
ginning of this special work [of the antitypical Day of Atone-
ment]. The cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary comprehends
the entire work of final judgment, beginning with the investiga-
tive phase and ending with the executive phase, which results
in the permanent eradication of sin from the universe.
"A significant feature of the final judgment is the vindication
of God's character before all the intelligences of the universe.
The false charges that Satan has lodged against the govern-
ment of God must be demonstrated as utterly groundless. God
must be shown to have been entirely fair in the selection of
certain individuals to make up His future kingdom, and in the
barring of others from entrance there. The final acts of God
will evoke from
.
men the confessions, 'Just and true are thy
ways' (Rev. 15:3), 'Thou art righteous, 0 Lord' (Rev. 16:5), and,
'True and righteous are thy judgments' (Rev. 16:7)."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Dan. 8:14 (p. 845).
What was Daniel shown about a desolating little horn
power? What was Gabriel's explanation? Dan. 8:9-12, 23-25.
Gabriel does not name the little horn power, but a compari-
son of this horn with the terrible nondescript beast of chapter 7
and the daring words and actions of its little horn leave no
doubt that the horn of chapter 8 is symbolizing the careers of
the same two powers, that is
pagan and papal Rome.
What would the horn attack and cast down which would
in time be cleansed and restored? Dan. 8:11-14.
Pagan Rome destroyed the temple in Jerusalem (AD 70), but
Papal Rome has defamed the throne of God by depriving men
of the true knowledge of saving righteousness
.
through Christ,
man's Mediator and High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. The
fact that the horn' represents (in part) the Papal phase, func-
tioning in the Christian era, points us to the heavenly sanctuary
(Heb. 8:1, 2) and the divine actions which will there take place
at the appointed time.
FURTHER STUDY
SDA Bible Commentary,
on Daniel 8.
108
God's Rule Vindicated
LESSON 13
❑
Wednesday
March 24
Part 4
REBELLION
CONDEMNED
In the heavenly sanctuary court of judgment what verdict
and sentence will be pronounced upon the power represented
by a horn?
"But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his
dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end" (Dan.
7:26).
"He shall be broken without hand" (Dan. 8:25).
Through the spyglass of prophecy we are permitted to glance
ahead and see that all the accusations Satan made in heaven
(lesson 4) will be condemned in the day of judgment.
In a sense, God—His character, law, government—has been
on trial before the universe ever since Lucifer raised his chal-
lenges. The divine answer to the rebellion has been the plan
of salvation, centering in Christ's sinless life, atoning death,
and mediatorial ministry. The universe has watched the out-
working of the satanic principle of selfishness and the divine
principle of love. In a very real sense, God will be cleared—and
Satan condemned—by the entire universe.
"The plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper pur-
pose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that
Christ came to the earth; . . . but it was to vindicate the char-
acter of God before the universe. . . . The act of Christ in
dying . . . would justify God and His Son in their dealing with
the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of
the law of God and would reveal the nature and results of sin."
—Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 68, 69.
Satan's high-handed charges defiled the divine throne. He
was expelled from heaven. On earth he has continued to "blas-
pheme his name, and his tabernacle" (Rev. 13:6). The proph-
ecies of Daniel 7 and 8 (and related ones in 2 Thess. 2; Rev.
13 and 17) show that Satan has continued to promote the same
challenges and to usurp God's authority through the activities
of the "little horn."
Through this power Satan has succeeded far beyond what
he could have done through pagan nations, since it has become
a moral voice in the world. Millions regard the Christian apos-
tasy as the only moral force worth reckoning with today.
Thus the judgment in the heavenly sanctuary which declares
the "little horn" guilty and orders its destruction renders, in
effect, a verdict against Satan. The judgment of the horn is a
final judgment on Satan and a vindication of God "with the full
approval of the loyal universe. The issues raised by Satan will
thus be decided in the heavenly court in favor of God.
109
God's Rule Vindicated
LESSON 13
❑
Thursday
March 25
Part 5
Who will sit on these thrones of judgment in heaven? (See
JUDGING THE
Rev. 20:6.) Who will be judged?
WICKED
"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment
was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were
beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God,
and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image,
neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in
their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thou-
sand years" (Rev. 20:4).
When will this judgment take place? Where? See verse 6;
1 Thess. 4:16-18.
"During the thousand years between the first and the second
resurrection the judgment of the wicked takes place. . . . At
this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God.
... In union with Christ they judge the wicked, comparing their
acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every case
according to the deeds done in the body. Then the portion
which the wicked must suffer is meted out, according to their
works; and it is recorded against their names in the book of
death."—The
Great Controversy,
pp. 660, 661.
How extensive will this judgment be? Who besides man-
kind will be examined? 1 Cor. 6:2, 3.
Human probation closes with the completion of Christ's work
as High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary (Rev. 15:5-8). This was
a ministry of judgment and vindication, and, as far as man
was concerned, dealt with those whose names were written
in the book of life. The judgment of fallen angels and impeni-
tent sinners by the saints during their millennial reign with
Christ in heaven is an examination and a review of the issues
involved in the controversy as begun and carried out by Satan
and the fallen angels. There would naturally be many questions
why persons were lost. The millennial phase of the judgment
will provide an opportunity for the
redeemed
to be fully satis-
fied with all of God's acts in dealing with the sin problem, just
as the investigative phase will satisfy the
unfallen universe.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is it particularly fitting for John to be shown martyrs
and persecuted saints on the thrones in judgment?
"The day of His vengeance hastens, when all who have
transgressed His law and oppressed His people will meet the
just recompense of their deeds; when every act of cruelty or
injustice toward God's faithful ones will be punished as though
done to Christ Himself."—The
Great Controversy,
p. 48.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 658-661.
110
God's Rule Vindicated
LESSON 13
❑
Friday
March 26
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his
body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or
bad" (2 Cor. 5:10).
Inasmuch as the intelligent creation resides in a universe
which is under moral law, amenability to God cannot be es-
caped. All mankind, and the fallen angels as well, must stand
at the bar of God.
When does the executive phase of the judgment take
place? Where? Rev. 20:11-15. See also Matt. 25:31-33; Prov.
11:31.
All mankind will be present: the redeemed within the city;
the lost and the fallen angels outside. The loyal universe will
witness. "The judgment scene will take place in the presence
of all the worlds; for in this judgment the government of God
will be vindicated, and His law will stand forth as 'holy, and
just, and good.' .. . Sin will not then appear attractive, but will
be seen in all its hideous magnitude."—Ellen G. White Com-
ments,
SDA Bible Commentary, vol.
7, p. 986.
What will the intelligent creation involved in this phase
of judgment confess? Rom. 14:10, 11.
"As soon as the books of record are opened, and the eye
of Jesus looks upon the wicked, they are conscious of every
sin which they have ever committed. They see just . . . how
far pride and rebellion have carried them in the violation of the
law of God."
"It is now evident to all that the wages of sin is not noble
independence and eternal life, but slavery, ruin, and death."
"Satan sees that his voluntary rebellion has unfitted him for
heaven. . . . His accusations against the mercy and justice of
God are now silenced. The reproach which he has endeavored
to cast upon Jehovah rests wholly upon himself. And now Satan
bows down and confesses the justice of his sentence."—The
Great Controversy,
pp. 666, 668, 670.
The executive phase of judgment will elicit from the
lost
a
free admission of the rightness of God in His acts. Thus the
judgment in its three phases fully vindicates God.
According to Jesus, on what principle of the law will ac-
quittal or condemnation hang? Matt. 25:34-46.
Lack of love for their fellowmen (a violation of the second
table of the law) indicates that self is central (a violation of
the first table). Only divine grace received into the life can
produce supreme love to God and impartial love to others.
FURTHER STUDY
The Great Controversy,
pp. 668-673.
111
Part 6
EXECUTION
OF SENTENCE
Lessons for 2nd Quarter/1976
Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult Lessons for
the second quarter of 1976 will be helped by the following outline in studying the
first two lessons. The title of the series is "God Is Not Silent."
First Lesson
HE REVEALS HIMSELF. Memory verse, Isa. 46:9.
1. His Unsearchable Greatness (Ps. 145:3).
2. His Immeasurable Condescension (lsa. 57:15).
3. His Inimitable Attributes (Ex. 34:6).
4. His Supreme Transcendence (1 Chron. 16:23-27).
5. His Beneficent Activity (Ex. 34:10).
6. His Life-giving Power (John 17:3).
Second Lesson
CHANNELS OF HIS REVELATION. Memory verse, Gal. 1:12.
1. Visible Reflects Invisible (Rom. 1:20).
2 The Message of History (Ex. 19:4).
3. Revelation in Jesus (Heb. 1:1, 2).
4. The Witness of Men (Heb. 2:3).
5.
The Written Record (Luke 1:3, 4).
6.
God Speaks Today (John 16:13).
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California
Mountain
Publishing
Association,
Send a three-month subscrip-
tion to non-S.D.A. boys and
•
girls as a special follow-up
service, each for only $1.20.
Back issues available for
$1.00 per 100 copies.
ru
to Be a Victorious Christian
10MAS DA% N
A
Dynamic
Remedy
for Listless
Ch
HOW TO BE A
•
ristians
VICTORIOUS
CHRISTIAN,
by
Thomas A. Davis. This book reveals reasons for lukewarm
religion and offers real, practical help toward a vital, valid
Christianity. It shows, from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy
writings, the dynamics of the science of salvation — how
to know Jesus as a personal Saviour and Lord, and how to live
through Him a victorious daily life. Price $3.50
HOW TO BE A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN, STUDY
GUIDE.
A study guide, providing an organized, practical
outline for prayer meetings, family and study groups, is
also available. Price $1.00
Order from your Adventist Book Center or ABC Mailing
Service, P.O. Box 31776, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. Add
40 cents postage for the first book and 15 cents for each
additional book. Add State sales tax where necessary.
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